CEBU - Negros Oriental province has vowed to step up efforts to safeguard the marine ecosystem in Bais Bay and its surrounding regions following reports of a decline in dolphin sightings in Tañon Strait.
Negros Oriental Provincial Tourism
Board executive director Woodrow Maquiling Jr. said upon assumption of the new
administration of Governor Manuel Sagarbarria last May 31, his office has
collaborated with the local governments of Bais City and Manjuyod to ensure the
effective protection and preservation of the marine ecosystem.
“While both these LGUs are banking on
ecotourism to generate revenues, in particular the dolphin and whale watching
activities, various interventions and preservation efforts have been in place
by said LGUs to also protect one of the sources of income of their
constituents,” Maquiling, former tourism undersecretary, told the Philippine
News Agency.
In the last issue of The Mindanao
Examiner-Cebu Examiner, it carried a news article on the unchecked ecotourism
and overfishing are threatening the cetacean biodiversity of the famous and
richly diverse Tañon Strait following the warning by a group of researchers
from the University of the Philippines - Diliman College of Science (UPD-CS).
A narrow passage of water between Cebu
and Negros islands, Tañon Strait is renowned worldwide for its rich marine
life. It is home to numerous cetaceans, including 15 species of dolphins and
whales. However, recent findings suggest that the populations of these marine
creatures are on a fast decline.
“We encountered only between 80 and 90
individual spinner dolphins throughout our four-day survey. This is in stark contrast
to surveys in previous years, where we might spot as many as 100 individuals in
just one day,” Dr. Lemnuel Aragones, head of the UPD-CS Marine Mammal Research
and Conservation Laboratory, said in a statement sent to The Mindanao
Examiner.
Tañon Strait, designated as a protected
seascape in 1998 under Presidential Proclamation No. 1234, has been a sanctuary
for a diverse array of marine species. A popular destination for ecotourism,
particularly dolphin and whale watching, the strait has attracted numerous
visitors eager to witness these remarkable animals in their natural
habitat.
Dr. Aragones spearheaded the survey
from July 20 to 23, focusing on dolphin populations within the southern part of
Tañon Strait. The initiative revealed deeply concerning trends, such as a
decrease in dolphin numbers, a reduction in species diversity, and evasive
behavior possibly linked to increasing human activity in the area.
In the past, these surveys witnessed
vibrant gatherings of diverse species of cetaceans—including numerous kinds of
dolphins and species of whales, with groups of as many as 100 individuals
spotted in a single day. However, the recent survey was starkly different,
showcasing only three species: spinner dolphins, common bottlenose dolphins,
and dwarf sperm whales.
Of particular concern was the notably
evasive behavior of the dolphins, a possible sign of stress or disturbance due
to the persistent presence of aggressive dolphin watching boats. Dr. Aragones
and his team, who have been monitoring the region since 1997, noted a
significant increase in the number of dolphin watching boats, even
notwithstanding the destruction caused by Super Typhoon Odette in
2021.
The area now hosts around 60 boats, down
from the original 260. Nevertheless, Dr. Aragones fears that this may still be
too much: “Too many dolphin watching boats in the area disrupts the cetaceans’
habits,” he said.
Dr. Aragones also warned against the
overutilization of the area’s resources. “There should also be a comprehensive
assessment of fisheries resources in the entire Strait as there is clearly less
food now for these creatures,” he explained.
To preserve the delicate ecosystem and
to safeguard the remarkable marine mammals in Tañon Strait, the scientists have
proposed several measures: First, they recommend a moratorium on adding more
boats to the already existing fleet. Second, a comprehensive assessment of
fisheries resources including fishing activities in Tañon Strait is essential,
as a decline in food availability may be exacerbating the dolphins' struggles.
Furthermore, strict monitoring and regulation of illegal unreported and
unregulated fishing practices in the area are necessary.
Dr. Aragones emphasized the importance
of educating boat operators on responsible dolphin watching protocols. A
certification process that trains operators to navigate around dolphins without
causing stress could play a pivotal role in protecting these charismatic
animals. Research also suggests that previous ecotourism activities negatively
impacted dolphin behavior, reinforcing the need for responsible and sustainable
tourism practices.
The findings from this survey
underscore the critical situation facing dolphins in Tañon Strait. Urgent
action is imperative to ensure the survival of these magnificent creatures and
to maintain the delicate balance of the marine ecosystem they inhabit. (Cebu
Examiner)
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