MareCet is the first and only non-profit NGO in Malaysia that is dedicated to the research and conservation of marine mammals in Malaysia. The name MareCet is derived from the combination of the words Mare, meaning ocean, and Cetacean, for the scientific grouping of whales, dolphins, and porpoises, signifying the two main focuses of the organization: our oceans and marine mammals.
Dolphins rely immensely on sounds using whistles, squeaks and echolocation, such as clicks, to navigate, communicate and forage. The MareCet team suspects human activities, such as boat traffic increase underwater noise to levels that may be harmful to dolphins. MareCet’s team use hydrophones, underwater audio recording devices, to track dolphins’ sounds in relation to nearby boats. To reduce this noise pollution and conflict between humans and wildlife, MareCet uses their research as evidence to establish Important Marine Mammal Areas to encourage reductions in boat speed or traffic.
photo credit: MareCet
