Mekong-Lancang Peace Boat Project Highlights Peace as Crucial for Dolphin Conservation in Cambodia

A delegation from the Mekong-Lancang Peace Boat Project (2nd edition) visited Kratie province in northeastern Cambodia. Ms. Im Rochna, Undersecretary of State at the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, warmly welcomed the delegation at the ministry, providing them with an opportunity to gain direct insight into Cambodia's efforts in managing, protecting, and conserving the Mekong River dolphin. Ms. Rochna stated that the Mekong River dolphin serves as a clear mirror reflecting the severe impacts of war and the immeasurable value of peace. She pointed out that during the period of conflict from the 1970s to the 1990s, the dolphin population plummeted, nearing extinction. At that time, shootings, bombings, and poaching for fat to be used as engine oil accelerated the decline. Following the achievement of complete peace and stability in Cambodia in 1998, the Royal Government of Cambodia actively promoted dolphin conservation activities. The Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries acts as the primary implementing agency, collaborating with various partner organizations. These efforts include the establishment of strict dolphin protected areas through cracking down on illegal fishing, 24-hour patrols daily, providing alternative livelihoods for fishermen, and modernizing techniques for tracking, researching, and protecting dolphins. These careful protective measures have led to a continuous increase in new dolphin births in recent years. Notably, 2025 achieved unprecedented success with a record of 8 new dolphin births and zero fatalities, a feat unseen in over two decades. Ms. Rochna emphasized, "Peace is the crucial foundation for dolphin conservation in Cambodia," and stressed that maintaining peace throughout the Mekong-Lancang region is vital to truly transform the Mekong River into a "River of Peace and Biodiversity."