Breaking new ground beneath the waves for dolphins | Closer Look

As dolphins gracefully leap out of Malaysia’s shimmering blue waters, beneath the surface a darker experience can await them. Bycatch-the unintended capture of marine wildlife in commercial fishing gear-is a major threat to Malaysia’s marine mammals since their habitat often overlaps popular fishing grounds.
Using acoustic technology, MareCet’s Bycatch Mitigation Project is breaking new ground beneath the waves to keep dolphins away from nets, and their collaboration with fishers is spreading the word about marine mammal conservation throughout local communities. Dr. Louisa Ponnampalam, Executive Director and Co-founder of MareCet, will share the latest updates from the field, detailing the triumphs and challenges her team has encountered during this important conservation work.