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Wildlife
- Close
- - We protect wildlife in Britain and around the world by bringing our most threatened species back from the brink of extinction. We do this through ground-breaking research, practical conservation and education, all with the help of our supporters.
Wild places
- Close
- - Some habitats contain such a richness of life that we need to protect them at all odds. We are working to preserve ancient woodlands, orchards and wood pastures and parklands, as well as the countless species they support.
What we do
- Close
- - Everything we do is based on scientific evidence. We gather this through surveys, which you can take part in, and by awarding research grants to the most inspiring scientists worldwide. This evidence guides our conservation efforts and is shared through our events and publications.
Who we are
- Close
- - People’s Trust for Endangered Species was set up in 1977 to save our wildlife. We are governed by a board of volunteer trustees and our team of staff are passionate about protecting endangered species and places.
Success stories
- Close
- - We strive to bring our most threatened species in the UK and around the world back from the brink of extinction. Our successes come from ground-breaking research, practical conservation and education, all with the help of our supporters.
Get involved
- Close
- - There are so many ways you can help save endangered species. Fancy taking part in a survey, joining us on a wildlife event or becoming a regular supporter?
Shop
- Close
- - Support our work in our shop with a range of charity gifts, home-ware, cards and more. 100% of the profits go directly to help wildlife both in the UK an overseas.
Donate
- Close
- - There is nothing natural about the alarming rate at which we are losing animals and their homes. It is absolutely avoidable. We can stop the loss of our wildlife – but we need your support. You can act now by choosing to give to our cause. Thank you.

Home // Research grants // Our worldwide projects // Reducing bycatch to protect endangered Irrawaddy dolphins

Reducing bycatch to protect endangered Irrawaddy dolphins

Irrawaddy-dolphins-Peoples-Trust-for-Endangered-Species

Khmer Ocean Life is working closely with local fishing communities to find a practical, low-cost solution to prevent harm to the dolphins.

New research highlights dangers of gillnet fishing for Irrawaddy dolphins

Cambodia’s southern coast is home to one of the region’s most threatened marine mammals: the Irrawaddy dolphin. These shy, round-faced dolphins once swam widely across Southeast Asia, but today only small, isolated groups remain. In Cambodian waters, accidental entanglement in fishing nets is the biggest danger they face, with many dolphins dying before they can be rescued.

The waters here are busy, with coastal communities relying heavily on gillnet fishing. For Irrawaddy dolphins and other small cetaceans, this means they must navigate a maze of nets every day. Until recently, very little research had been carried out to understand how often dolphins were becoming caught, or which areas carried the greatest risks. Without this information, it has been difficult for fishers, authorities and conservationists to work together to reduce harm.

Finding practical solutions for local communities to help dolphins

Our new partner, Khmer Ocean Life, is working closely with local fishing communities to find a practical, low-cost solution. The project is focusing on testing simple acoustic reflectors – made from upcycled plastic bottles – that help dolphins detect nets more easily. These reflectors are inexpensive, easy to make, and suitable for small-scale fisheries, meaning they could be widely adopted if they’re effective.

Over the coming months, the team will work with dozens of fishers to compare catch rates and bycatch levels on nets with and without reflectors. They’ll also support local authorities in monitoring dolphin strandings and bycatch incidents, building the evidence needed to strengthen Cambodia’s Marine Mammal Bycatch Mitigation Action Plan.

This work offers real hope for one of Southeast Asia’s most threatened dolphins. By finding a solution that’s simple, community-led and affordable, the project aims to reduce bycatch across the region, helping Irrawaddy dolphins, humpback dolphins and finless porpoises survive in the waters they have long called home.

We want to give Irrawaddy dolphins a brighter future; with your help we can make a difference.

Donate today

Image credits Khmer Ocean Life