As a flagship species, the Mekong Dolphin requires an unpolluted environment, sufficient water to move among deep pools, and adequate food supply – factors that are critical components of a healthy river ecosystem and necessary for humans and riverine wildlife alike. The aim of the project is to maintain a viable population of dolphins in the Mekong and protect the environmental health of the river. To achieve this, the Cambodian Mekong Dolphin Conservation Project works in four key areas:
 

1. Threat reduction
   • Developing regulations and a dolphin habitat zonal use system in conjunction with the Government to protect dolphins and their core habitat
   • Proper management of dolphin-watching ecotourism
   • Working with communities and NGOs to ensure sustainable management of local fisheries and the inclusion of dolphin conservation within their activities
   • Providing alternative sources of livelihood for fishing communities adjacent to core dolphin habitats in partnership with the Cambodian Rural Development Team
2. Education and awareness
   • Ensuring all stakeholders are aware of regulations relating to dolphin conservation
   • Producing educational signboards and materials for tourists and the Cambodian public
   • Educational village workshops and school visits for communities adjacent to core dolphin habitats
   • Integrating monks into environmental education
3. Research focusing on
   • Dolphin mortality, especially the mysteriously high calf mortality rate
   • Dolphin population and distribution surveys
   • Impacts of dolphin watching tourism on dolphins
   • Genetic research to assess population viability and discreetness
   • Monitoring threats to dolphins
4. Co-operation and regional co-ordination
   • Build cross border co-operation between stakeholders at the trans-boundary dolphin pool and develop a trans-boundary pool conservation strategy
   • Establish a community trans-boundary pool conservation group
   • Improve fisheries management and community enforcement at the trans-boundary pool.