Latest news with #Irrawaddy
The Sun
14 hours ago
- The Sun
Rare Irrawaddy dolphin found dead in illegal ray net off Kuala Kedah
ALOR SETAR: A rare Irrawaddy dolphin was found dead, tragically entangled in an illegal ray fishing net known locally as 'pukat pari' that was left behind by fishermen in the waters off Kuala Kedah yesterday. Kuala Kedah Maritime Zone director commander Noor Azreyanti Ishak said the dolphin, an endangered marine mammal, was found by a Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) patrol team at about 11 am, approximately 1.1 nautical miles from the Kuala Kedah estuary. 'The discovery was made following the seizure of a RM2,000 ray net, which is prohibited under the Fisheries Act 1985 due to its non-selective nature. The net not only traps stingrays and juvenile fish but also poses a serious threat to protected marine species,' she said in a statement today. Noor Azreyanti said the Irrawaddy dolphin (Orcaella brevirostris), also known locally as 'empesut', is a unique species that is becoming increasingly rare in Southeast Asia, including in Malaysia. She added that the loss of even a single Irrawaddy dolphin has a major impact on the ecosystem, given its critically low population and elusive nature. Meanwhile, Noor Azreyanti said the latest seizure was the sixth involving ray nets in the Kuala Kedah maritime zone so far this year. 'The use of the nets not only affects the population of stingrays, which are benthic predators, but also disrupts the overall balance of the ecosystem if left unchecked,' she said. She also called on the public to report illegal fishing activities or suspicious activities at sea via the 999 emergency line or the Kuala Kedah maritime zone operations centre at 04-7310579.
The Sun
14 hours ago
- The Sun
Rare Irrawaddy dolphin dies in illegal ray net in Kedah
ALOR SETAR: A rare Irrawaddy dolphin was found dead, tragically entangled in an illegal ray fishing net known locally as 'pukat pari' that was left behind by fishermen in the waters off Kuala Kedah yesterday. Kuala Kedah Maritime Zone director commander Noor Azreyanti Ishak said the dolphin, an endangered marine mammal, was found by a Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) patrol team at about 11 am, approximately 1.1 nautical miles from the Kuala Kedah estuary. 'The discovery was made following the seizure of a RM2,000 ray net, which is prohibited under the Fisheries Act 1985 due to its non-selective nature. The net not only traps stingrays and juvenile fish but also poses a serious threat to protected marine species,' she said in a statement today. Noor Azreyanti said the Irrawaddy dolphin (Orcaella brevirostris), also known locally as 'empesut', is a unique species that is becoming increasingly rare in Southeast Asia, including in Malaysia. She added that the loss of even a single Irrawaddy dolphin has a major impact on the ecosystem, given its critically low population and elusive nature. Meanwhile, Noor Azreyanti said the latest seizure was the sixth involving ray nets in the Kuala Kedah maritime zone so far this year. 'The use of the nets not only affects the population of stingrays, which are benthic predators, but also disrupts the overall balance of the ecosystem if left unchecked,' she said. She also called on the public to report illegal fishing activities or suspicious activities at sea via the 999 emergency line or the Kuala Kedah maritime zone operations centre at 04-7310579.
New Straits Times
17 hours ago
- New Straits Times
Endangered Irrawaddy dolphin found dead in illegal ray net
ALOR STAR: An endangered Irrawaddy dolphin was found dead after becoming entangled in an illegal ray net (pukat pari) in the waters off Kuala Kedah. The tragic discovery was made by a team from the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA), Kuala Kedah Maritime Zone, during a routine patrol approximately 1.1 nautical miles from the Kuala Kedah estuary at around 11am yesterday. Kuala Kedah Maritime Zone director, Maritime Commander Noor Azreyanti Ishak, said the ray net, with an estimated value of RM2,000, is believed to have been used by irresponsible fishermen. "Ray nets are among the fishing tools that have been officially banned under the Fisheries Act 1985 due to their non-selective nature. They not only trap rays and juvenile fish, but also pose a serious threat to protected marine species such as the Irrawaddy dolphin," she said in a statement. The Irrawaddy dolphin (Orcaella brevirostris), also locally known as empesut, is a unique species that is rapidly disappearing across Southeast Asia, including in Malaysia. The death of even a single individual can have a significant impact on the ecosystem, as the species' current population is extremely small and difficult to track. Azreyanti said the latest seizure marks the sixth case of illegal ray net confiscation carried out by the Kuala Kedah Maritime Zone this year, reflecting intensified enforcement efforts to curb the use of destructive fishing gear that harms marine habitats. She stressed that the use of ray nets not only affects ray populations—key predators in seabed ecosystems—but also disrupts the overall balance of marine biodiversity. "If this activity continues unchecked, not only will rays face extinction, but other marine species that rely on this food chain will also be at risk. This is a deeply concerning situation," she said. She urged the entire fishing community and maritime public to be more aware of the importance of preserving marine biodiversity and to report any illegal fishing activities or suspicious incidents via the emergency line 999 or the Kuala Kedah Maritime Zone Operations Centre at 04-7310579. "We must act collectively. Every marine life lost due to human greed is a profound loss to nature and future generations. "This tragedy serves as yet another stark reminder of the fragility of ocean life and the urgent need for firm action and collective awareness to protect it," she said.
Borneo Post
11-06-2025
- General
- Borneo Post
Kpg Belawai's ‘sesar unjur' goes green with new eco-friendly tech
Dr Abang Mohammad Nizam (right) demonstrates the proper technique for operating the machine during the training session. – Photo from WWF-Malaysia KUCHING (June 12): An engineering solution has enabled the community in Kampung Belawai, Tanjung Manis to produce 'sesar unjur' (smoked prawn) more efficiently while contributing to the conservation of local mangroves. In a joint statement, WWF-Malaysia and Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (Unimas) said the new technology allows locals to shift from producing smoked prawns using mangrove logs to using a machine specially engineered to perform the work without the need to cut down mangroves. Fatimah Lain, a 67-year-old local resident, praised the new technology, noting that it is less labour-intensive and requires minimal effort. 'Unlike the traditional method, the machine does not require constant monitoring. In traditional smoking, we had to regularly check and control the fire. 'This new approach is not only easier but also more cost-effective, as it uses significantly less mangrove wood,' she said when met following a training session for 'sesar unjur' producers and handover of the smokehouse and machine to the local community, in Kampung Belawai recently. Fatimah expresses her delight after learning a new method of producing 'sesar unjur'. – Photo from WWF-Malaysia The smokehouse pilot project was brought to the community in Kampung Belawai by WWF-Malaysia in collaboration with the Faculty of Engineering of Unimas and the Sarawak Digital Economy Corporation (SDEC). This smoked prawn processing technology is developed to help reduce community's dependence on mangroves to smoke their famed 'sesar unjur' — a seasonal, high-value product, fetching up to RM180 per kg in local markets. The version produced along the Belawai-Rajang-Paloh stretch is especially prized for its distinct smoky aroma, traditionally achieved using mangroves as firewood. 'The conventional smoking process lacks temperature and smoke control, leading to excessive mangrove harvesting during peak seasons and raising concerns about the sustainability of mangrove forests as well as the supply of firewood. 'On the other hand, the Rajang-Belawai-Paloh mangrove ecosystem is vital to the livelihood of the community, who are mainly fishers, and home to various coastal wildlife species including the endangered Irrawaddy dolphin (Orcaella brevirostris),' added the statement. The seasonal surge in 'sesar unjur' production is said to place immense pressure on the ecosystem, risking unsustainable harvesting of mangrove wood, thereby disrupting biodiversity and threatening long-term ecological stability. According to WWF-Malaysia Sarawak Conservation Programme senior manager for landscapes Ailyn Nau Sidu, the Rajang-Belawai-Paloh mangrove complex covers nearly 94,000 hectares, making it the biggest in the state. She cautioned that if the mangrove complex is not managed sustainably, there are risks of losing more forest mangroves, which would eventually impact fish and marine mammal populations. 'Fish are the community's livelihoods, and so are the marine mammals, especially the Irrawaddy dolphins, which have the potential to be an ecotourism attraction to the area,' she said. Prawns successfully smoked using the machine. – Photo from WWF-Malaysia Thanking Unimas, SDEC, and the local community for their support in the project, Ailyn also shared that initial research from the university showed that the machine has reduced the use of mangrove wood successfully by 80 per cent to produce 'sesar unjur' against the traditional method. Additionally, Unimas Faculty of Engineering, led by Dr Abang Mohammad Nizam Abang Kamaruddin, developed a prototype system with improved heat and smoke control technologies under SDEC funding in 2022. Later, under the leadership of Deputy Dean of Research and Innovation Dr Annisa Jamali, the faculty developed and deployed Smoking Automation with Hybrid-heat Sources (SMOKAHs) — a modular smoking system powered by electricity and/or solar energy. SMOKAHs integrates multiple heat and smoke sources within a controlled chamber, reducing reliance on fossil fuels and unsustainably harvested wood while preserving the authentic flavours of 'sesar unjur'. Piloted with other communities from Tebelu to Igan, SMOKAHs is now recognised as a viable solution for preserving traditional food practices in a sustainable way. The machine significantly reduces processing time — from a full day to just three to four hours — and produces prawn that complies with European Commission Food Standards, with significantly lower polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) levels compared to traditional methods. According to the team's certified Greenhouse Gas professional Ir Ts Dr Lidyana Roslan, SMOKAHs also achieves up to 80 per cent reduction in carbon emissions. A single smoking cycle consumes only 1-2 kg of mangrove wood, compared to 20.72 kg used in conventional methods to process the same quantity (16 kg) of 'sesar unjur', a breakthrough in both environmental conservation and production efficiency. Tanjung Manis community leader Pemanca Morshidi Moris, who is also Belawai Mukah Berhad Cooperatives chairman, said this is the second smoked prawn machine introduced in Belawai. He noted that the first machine, introduced under a different initiative and organisation, was unsuccessful due to a lack of community involvement. 'Local smokehouse operators were involved from the start of the machine's development by Unimas and WWF-Malaysia, with their feedback incorporated into the design. 'For example, the use of LPG (liquefied petroleum gas) instead of full electricity was incorporated based on suggestions from the community, aiming to reduce operational costs. 'While the taste of smoke prawns produced by the machine has not yet fully matched that of traditional methods, the outcomes are very similar — achieving about 70 per cent similarity,' he said, adding that the machine will be operated by cooperative members. eco-friendly Kampung Belawai sesar unjur smoked prawn WWF-Malaysia
The Hindu
11-06-2025
- The Hindu
In search of Chilika's Irrawaddy dolphins
'Will we see the Irrawaddy dolphins?' This is the first question I ask our boatman Sanjay Das. 'If we are lucky,' he replies in Odia, that our guide and in-house naturalist Karan Giri from Rambha Palace, translates. Dawn has just broken over the Chilika Lake. The boat-ride, organised for guests at the boutique hotel, takes off from Rambha in Ganjam district. As Sanjay manoeuvres the boat into the water with a stick-like oar, a flock of black-tailed godwits searches the sludgy shores nearby for food, their long legs aiding them in the task. A pied kingfisher swoops into the water, and we also see the majestic Brahminy kite perched atop a pole. More birds make their appearance — such as the Indian spot-billed duck, grey-headed swamphen, and whiskered tern — and soon enough, I realise Chilika is not just about the dolphins. 'It is a haven for birds, some of them resident, while some are visitors who stop by seasonally along their migratory route,' points out Karan. With no other boat as far as the eye can see, that morning, it is just us, the lake, and the occasional bird that flies past. Suddenly, Sanjay slows down, pointing towards movement in the water some distance away. To the untrained eye, it appears like a series of ripples on the surface. I see nothing, but the others in the boat are excited; Karan readies his camera. The trick is to take a deep breath, calm down, and observe. And when I do, I see them: a lightning flash of two grey fins that emerge, then disappear. It is a pod of Irrawaddy dolphins. The pod, that Sanjay says has around three to four animals, swims at a brisk pace, treating us to a vision of their fins and a glimpse of their upper body a few more times. They then disappear into the water. The elusive Irrawaddy dolphins, unlike their more flamboyant bottle-nosed counterparts, are shy animals. Highly-endangered, they have a rounded nose and are related to killer whales. Wildlife filmmaker Shekar Dattatri documented them for his film, Chilika - Jewel of Odisha, which was commissioned by the Chilika Development Authority. The film, available on YouTube, depicts the importance of Chilika, which, at nearly 1000 sq km, is India's largest brackish water lake, and Asia's second largest. 'The film highlights Chilika's beauty, biodiversity, and conservation challenges,' explains Shekar, who shot the film in 2013. His team spent over 45 days at Chilika, filming birds, crabs, and the people who depend on the lake for their livelihood. The 20-minute film also features the rare Irrawaddy dolphins and shows how they are impacted by uncontrolled dolphin tourism. 'When you mention dolphins, most people think of bottle-nosed dolphins and their acrobatics,' says Shekar. 'Irrawaddy dolphins, however, are very shy. All you get to see most of the time is just the dorsal fin or the tail. They don't jump out of the water much,' he says, adding that it was quite challenging to film them. Their elusive nature, according to Samir Kumar Sinha, chief ecologist with the Wildlife Trust of India, also limits scientists from comprehensively studying them. 'Irrawaddy dolphins, like other dolphin species, surface to inhale oxygen approximately every 2.5 minutes at most. For the remainder of the time, they stay underwater — feeding, moving, or interacting with other individuals. Their surfacing is very quiet, often without noticeable splashes, making them difficult to detect. Additionally, their underwater behaviour is challenging to observe,' he says, adding that they are found in the Chilika lagoon throughout the year. Excessive tourism at the lake, especially at Satapada in the south-eastern part of the lagoon, is disturbing the gentle animals. In his film, Shekar shows how noisy boat engines and boat-operators chasing the animals relentlessly, poses serious threats. Samir Kumar says that in order to protect the dolphins and their habitat, 'boats should operate in accordance with the guidelines issued by the authorities'. Shekar has also written a picture book titled Ira the Little Dolphin, published by Tulika, to introduce the little-known species to children. It has some charming photos of the dolphins doing back flips as well as them standing erect on the water to check out their surroundings. 'We must take care of Chilika so that its dolphins, birds, and people can have a peaceful life,' reads the last line in the book. As we hop off the boat, with the dolphins behind us, it is this thought that Sanjay, our boatman, echoes. 'We keep our distance from them so that they are able to live in peace,' he says. Only a few minutes ago, he refused to move the boat even an inch closer to the dolphins once they came into view. He waited till they swam away before turning on his boat's rackety engine.
