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Conservation

Scientific Research
Research work is essential in conservation as the scientific information collected through research can help the authority make well-informed decisions and formulate the appropriate policies for the protection of whales, dolphins and the marine environment.
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Marine Protected Areas
The setting up of Marine Protected Areas (MPA) is a very effective way in conserving whales and dolphins. Inside the MPAs, human activities are restricted to minimize human impacts on whales and dolphins.
In Hong Kong, the Sha Chau and Lung Kwu Chau Marine Park was set up for the conservation of Chinese white dolphins. For details, please refer to the website of the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department:
www.afcd.gov.hk/tc_chi/country/cou_vis/cou_vis_mar/
cou_vis_mar_des/cou_vis_mar_des_sha.html
www.afcd.gov.hk/tc_chi/country/cou_vis/cou_vis_mar/
cou_vis_mar_mon/cou_vis_mar_mon_eco_sclkc.html
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Speak up for whales and dolphins
No matter how smart whales and dolphins are, they cannot possibly tell us in human language how severely they are affected by our activities. Their smiling face may make some people think they are not bothered by the threats we impose on them, which is not true. As someone who loves whales and dolphins, we do have to speak up for our friends living in the sea. We need to make use of our knowledge on whales and dolphins to voice out for them.
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Code of conduct in whale watching
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Watching dolphins swimming freely at sea is a delightful experience. Yet, how would dolphins feel if we are watching them without respecting them?
In Hong Kong, the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department has formulated a Code of Conduct for Dolphin Activities for operators to follow. Yet, this code is not a law and whether operators obey it or not is just voluntary.

Code of Conduct for Dolphin Watching Activities
- Maintain forward progress at a slow, steady speed or stop with no sudden course changes. Boat speed should not exceed 10 knots
- Only one dolphin watching vessel should be within 500 meters of a group of dolphins
- Always slow down to no-wake speed, or stop if animals appear directly ahead within 100 meters
- Never approach the dolphins head on; approach at an angle
- Never conduct reverse throttling in the vicinity of dolphins
- Never chase or cut across the course of dolphins, separate mothers and calves, split up groups or 'corner' dolphins between boats, nets or shore
- Never attempt to touch, swim with, or feed the dolphins
- Do not litter or dispose of any fuel, oil or other pollutants in the waters
- Respect the dolphins and let them make the choice to approach or flee. If a group of dolphins is difficult to observe and elusive, leave them alone and try to find a more cooperative group
- When observing, always parallel the dolphin's course at slow speed
- When observing dolphins which are following pair trawlers, the following need to be observed:
* the position of the dolphin watching vessel relative to the marker buoy of the trawl net should change as slowly as possible
* Do not move away immediately or at high speed after trawlers have hauled up the net Move away from the area at low speed very cautiously and ONLY after the dolphins have dispersed

With the flourishing of whale watching industry, code of conduct in whale watching is available in many places all over the world. Yet, in general, these code of conduct is just voluntary. Here are some examples:

Ireland:
http://www.whalewatchwestcork.com/conduct.html

Cambodia:
http://www.mekong-dolphin.com/dolphin-info12.htm

Scotland:
http://www.dolphinspace.org/index.asp?pageid=10448

South Africa:
http://www.sabbwwa.org.za/
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