STATUS OF RESEARCH 

In October 1996, based on recommendations made during the first workshop on the biology and conservation of small cetaceans and dugongs of Southeast Asia in June 1995 (see Perrin et al., 1996), the Borneo Marine Research Unit (now full-fledged Institute) of Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) took steps to undertake marine mammal research in Malaysia. This subsequently culminated in the development of the Marine Mammals and Whale Shark Research and Conservation Programme with the objective of conducting need-based studies as well as creating public awareness of the endangered species in the country. Research is mostly focussed on addressing the population status of dugongs and inshore cetaceans and their interactions with humans, particularly in East Malaysian waters. The research methods used have included boat, aerial, interview, and questionnaire surveys, literature reviews, and site investigations on stranded or incidentally caught animals. In addition, the development of this research programme is also a direct result and continuation from the first joint survey of marine mammals between Malaysia and the Philippines conducted in the southern Sulu Sea in May 1996 (see Dolar et al., 1997). 

Scientific research or locality records on the marine mammals of Peninsular Malaysia had previously been very limited. Nevertheless, the Department of Fisheries keeps records on dugong strandings and sightings in Peninsular Malaysia dating back to the 1920’s (Mansor et al., 2000). A series of dugong strandings that involved at least 12 animals around the coast of Johore in the period between January and October 1999 has prompted the Department to setup a research team to investigate the cause of death and determine habitat needs and distribution. Results from this study and several recommendations pertaining to dugongs in Peninsular Malaysia are summarised in Mansor et al. (2000). At about the same period, between 1999 and 2000, WWF Malaysia embarked on a twelve-month marine mammal research project and produced a detailed report (see Nadarajah, 2000). The project was designed as a pilot study to determine baseline data relating to species composition, distribution, habitat utilization, and threats faced by the animals and their habitats in Peninsular Malaysia. Due to the lack of funding and trained personnel, both research efforts, by the Department of Fisheries and WWF Malaysia, to study marine mammals in Peninsular Malaysia eventually ceased. Nevertheless, opportunistic sightings and strandings of marine mammals in Peninsular Malaysia are still being recorded by the Department of Fisheries Malaysia. Some records have recently been reviewed and published (see Jaaman et al., 2002). 

To date, the Marine Mammals and Whale Shark Research and Conservation Programme of Universiti Malaysia Sabah remains the only active programme in studying the animals and is receiving support from various local and international government agencies, NGOs and the private sector. The long-term objectives of the programme are to gain comprehensive knowledge of the species composition, distribution and abundance of marine mammals and whale sharks in Malaysia, to identify areas which are important habitats of diversity, and to highlight threats affecting the populations of these endangered animals. Nevertheless, current research priority needs to be given to determining the conservation status of dugongs and the Irrawaddy and Indo-Pacific humpbacked dolphins that inhabit some major bays and estuaries in East Malaysia. Due to anthropogenic threats, their populations are believed to be continuously declining and apparently could come to the brink of local extinction.