BFAR addresses ‘stranding’ of 500 dolphins in Bataan

MANILA, Philippines – The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources on Tuesday said its efforts are underway to respond to the reported "stranding" of about 500 dolphins off Pilar town in the northern Philippines province of Bataan. In an interview on dzBB radio, BFAR director Malcolm Sarmiento Jr. said he is on his way to Pilar town and that the agency’s patrol boats are preparing to go to the area as well. "Ako’y papunta na rin. Onboard ako sa patrol vessel namin. Titignan namin kung ano’ng sitwasyon ito…Nagreready pa yung ating mga patrol boat at hinihintay ko pa yung ating mga eksperto sa stranding," Sarmiento said. ["I am on my way to Bataan onboard BFAR’s patrol vessel. We will look into the situation. Our patrol boats are also on their way to the area. We are also getting experts on stranding."] In an earlier interview over dzBB, Bataan Governor Enrique Garcia Jr. said the number of dolphins stranded off Pilar’s coastal area reached about 500 while three dolphins were reported dead. Sarmiento described the situation as an "unusual phenomenon," adding that the highest number of stranded dolphins the BFAR has recorded in the past only reached 20 to 30. The BFAR chief said the situation may be caused by a sea quake that has affected the dolphins’ eardrums and sense of balance, leading to their "disorientation." "Karamihan sa mga stranding ay dahil nagkakaroon ng sea quake o isang disturbance sa karagatan at ang mga dolphins na ito, bilang mga mammal ay may mga tenga po ito at mga eardrum. Pag nagkaroon ng malaking pressure underwater, masisira ang kanilang eardrum. Di na sila magda-dive sa malalim kaya palutang-lutang na lang sila," Sarmiento explained. ["Most strandings are caused by sea quakes or disturbances at sea. Such disturbances affect the pressure underwater, which subsequently affects the dolphins’ eardrums. The creatures then will avoid diving in deeper parts of the ocean and will swim to shallow areas."] Sarmiento then asked the public not to inflict harm on the dolphins, which he said are considered endangered species. "Huwag saktan ang mga dolphin. Pagbawalan yung mga tao na gustong manakit ng dolphins. Hulihin kung kinakailangan. Dapat ‘di saktan ang mga ‘yan dahil endangered na ‘yan," Sarmiento said. ["Please do not harm the dolphins because they are already endangered. The authorities should also prevent the people who want to inflict harm on the creatures. They should be arrested, if needed."] According to Wikipedia, the Melon-headed Whale [Peponocephala electra; other names are many-toothed blackfish and electra dolphin] is a cetacean of the oceanic dolphin family [Delphinidae]. It is closely related to the Pygmy Killer Whale and Pilot Whale, and collectively these dolphin species are known by the common name blackfish. The Melon-headed Whale is widespread throughout the world's tropical waters, although not often seen by humans on account of its preference for deep water. - GMANews.TV