Kuala Kedah maritime director Noor Azreyanti Ishak said the dolphin was found by a team from the agency about 1.1 nautical miles from the Kuala Kedah estuary during a routine patrol at 11am yesterday.

The Irrawaddy dolphin, known locally as “empesut”, is on the brink of extinction in Southeast Asia, including Malaysia.

Noor Azreyanti said the loss of even one Irrawaddy dolphin has a significant impact on the ecosystem, as their population is extremely small and difficult to track.

The patrol team seized the fishing net, estimated to be worth RM2,000.

“This type of net is banned under the Fisheries Act 1985 because of its non-selective nature. It not only traps rays and young fish but also endangers protected marine species such as the Irrawaddy dolphin,” she said in a statement.

She said it was the sixth successful confiscation of illegal fishing nets by her team this year, highlighting intensified enforcement efforts to curb the use of destructive fishing gear that threatens marine habitats.

“If this activity continues unchecked, not only will rays disappear, but other marine species dependent on the food chain will be at risk,” she said.

The MMEA urged the fishing and maritime communities to be more aware of the importance of preserving marine biodiversity and to report any illegal fishing activities or suspicious incidents.