Factors Influencing Responses of Songkhla Lake Fishermen on the Government’s Irrawaddy Dolphin Conservation Guidelines

Abstract

This research aims to analyze the factors that have an influence on fulfilling the needs of fisherman
affecting Irrawaddy dolphin’s conservation. Structured interviews were given 384 residents of coastal
communities in Songkhla and Phatthalung provinces. Binary logistic regression analysis was used to
analyze the data. The results show 1) the following factors influence prohibitions on fishing practices that
are threats to the dolphin, and the relationship between the dolphin and its ecosystem, respectively, 2) the
following factors influence Irrawaddy dolphin protection efforts are natural inbreeding, dolphin habitat,
discussions within the communities about the dolphin, settingborder buoys demarcating protected areas,
information regarding Irrawaddy dolphin lung respiration, respectively, 3) the following factors influence
the efforts to build rafts and an observation tower are clearly demarcating protection zones, and
information regarding the harm that stagnant water has on the Irrawaddy, respectively. Encouraging the
communities towards the above-mentioned activities that have an influence will make the government’s
efforts to conserve the Irrawaddy dolphin receive positive support of the communities as they try to meet
their needs.