About the Sarawak Dolphin Project

Project Partners:

Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS): Administrating project, providing academic expertise and graduate trainee researchers

Sarawak Shell Berhad (Shell): Founding partner,providing funding and logistic support for the project from 2008 to present.

Sarawak Forestry (SF): Founding partner,providing staffing, expertise, permits and permissions, and the link with State government to implement conservation plans.

SALCO : financial support for two boat surveys in the Similajau/Bintulu region in 2008/2009

Ocean Park Conservation Foundation, Hong Kong : Providing funding, expertise and student trainees for the 2009-2010 project year.

Ministery of Science, Technology and Innovation Malaysia (MOSTI) : providing funding from 2009-2011 through the e-Science fund.

Permai Rainforest Resort: providing accomodation and research vessel for Kuching-based research

Piasau Boat Club (Miri) : providing a research vessel for the Miri-based research.

Volunteers: from Shell, the Malaysian Nature Society and other interested parties asist with research and learn about dolphin conservation.


Target Species:
Although data will be collected on all dolphin species that are encountered during surveys, the four main species of focus are:
:: Indo-Pacific humpback dolphin (Sousa chinensis)
:: Finless porpoise (Neophocaena phocaenoides)
:: Bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops sp.)
:: Irrawaddy dolphin (Orcaella brevirostris)

All four of these coastal-dwelling species are listed as "Vulnerable", "Near-Threatened" or "Data-deficient" in the IUCN Redlist of endangered species. Many populations of Irrawaddy dolphins in Southeast Asia are listed as Critically Endangered. These species' preference for nearshore habitats expose them to a range of threats, including by-catch in fisheries, habitat loss and degradation, and decreased fitness from pollution/contaminants.


Research Methods:
Small boat surveys: tracklines will be designed to evenly cover nearshore areas in the Miri/Bintulu and Kuching areas. Data will be collected on all dolphins encountered.

Photo Identification: Photographs of distinctive features on the dorsal fins of dolphins will allow researchers to recognize individual dolphins from one survey to the next and thus monitor their seasonal movements as well as estimate population size.

Beach surveys: will be conducted to examine the remains of stranded dolphins.


Project Outcomes:
:: Research results will be applied by the Sarawak State government bodies to design and implement appropriate conservation strategies.

:: Dolphin photo-ID and sighting and stranding databases that can be used in management efforts.

:: Provide training and field experience for local Malaysian scientists as well as opportunities for volunteers to become involved in dolphin conservation activities.