Along the warm, shallow coastlines of Southeast Asia lives a dolphin many people have never heard of—the Indo-Pacific Humpback Dolphin. Unlike ocean-going dolphins, these marine mammals spend their lives close to shore, navigating mangroves, estuaries, and busy coastal waters where people fish, boat, and build.
Meet the Indo-Pacific Humpback Dolphin
The Indo-Pacific Humpback Dolphin (Sousa chinensis) is known for the gentle hump beneath its dorsal fin and, in some regions, its pale or pinkish coloring. These dolphins are highly social and intelligent, relying on communication, cooperation, and healthy coastal habitats to survive.
As top-level predators, humpback dolphins play an important role in maintaining balance in coastal ecosystems. Their presence is a sign of ocean health—when dolphins are thriving, it often means the waters they live in are healthy too.
But living so close to people comes with risks.
Conservation in Action: MareCet
Coastal dolphins face growing challenges, including fishing gear entanglement, increased boat traffic and noise, habitat changes from development, and pollution that reduces available prey. Protecting a species that lives so near to human activity requires thoughtful, science-based solutions.
That’s where MareCet comes in.
Founded in Malaysia, MareCet is a non-governmental organization (NGO) that is dedicated to improving understanding of dolphins, porpoises, and whales through research and education. Their work includes population surveys, photo-identification, behavior studies, and research on how dolphins interact with human activities.
MareCet’s field projects in areas like Langkawi and the Matang mangrove system provide critical data that inform conservation planning. Just as importantly, MareCet works alongside fishers and coastal communities, testing solutions that reduce risks to dolphins while supporting sustainable livelihoods.
This approach isn’t about placing blame—it’s about coexistence.
Why It Matters
Indo-Pacific Humpback Dolphins remind us that conservation doesn’t only happen in remote wilderness. It happens where people and wildlife share space every day. By understanding how dolphins use coastal habitats, scientists and communities can make changes—like safer fishing practices, quieter boating, and habitat protection—that benefit everyone.
Bring the Coast Home with edZOOcation®
Inspired by the important conservation work of MareCet, edZOOcation® brings the wonder of coastal marine life into your home—through hands-on activities that help kids explore, learn, and care about the oceans.
Our Indo-Pacific Humpback Dolphin Box invites young conservationists to discover how dolphins live, communicate, and navigate shared coastal waters. Through crafts, games, and science-based learning, kids learn why healthy coastlines matter and how people and dolphins can thrive together.
By connecting learning to real-world conservation, edZOOcation helps families turn curiosity into care—and care into action.
Sharing Coastal Waters, Protecting the Future
By supporting organizations like MareCet, we help ensure that Indo-Pacific Humpback Dolphins continue to swim along Southeast Asia’s coastlines—alongside the communities who depend on the same waters.
Protecting these dolphins means protecting the health of our coastal ecosystems, today and for generations to come.
MareCet is backed by Wildlife Conservation Network (WCN), a nonprofit that brings together conservationists and supporters to advance solutions for wildlife and people to coexist and thrive. Learn more about WCN at wildnet.org.
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