Response increases survival rate among stranded marine mammals

Marine scientists from the University of the Philippines - Diliman found, that despite the alarming increase in the number of marine mammal strandings in the country, there has also been a sharp improvement in the rescue-response to these strandings.

According to UP Professors Lemnuel Aragones, Honey Leen Laggui, and marine biologist Apple Kristine Amor, survival rates for stranded Philippine marine mammals have thus improved, with authorities and coastal area residents cooperating on the matter.

A study undertaken by these scientists from the Marine Mammal Research and Stranding Laboratory - Institute of Environmental Science and Meteorology at UP Diliman found that, out of 638 single stranders, 395 or 61 percent were alive when they were found on the beach. Of these, 329 (among which were five baleen whales) were released after a few hours of supportive care.

Some 66 individual marine mammals were rehabilitated, but 48 died and 11 were released. There were also four individuals that underwent long-term care, but three had to be euthanized.

In the last 12 years, at least 329 individuals were rescued, stabilized and released, including the baleen whales. The number is equivalent to 27 animals per year.

The success rate of rehabilitation has also increased from 12 percent in 2010 to 23 percent. The 11 animals successfully rehabilitated was equivalent to almost 1 animal released per year.

Additionally, there are instances in which the animals were rehabilitated in the locality where they were stranded.

The scientists also pointed to the cases of four dolphins, mostly victims of dynamite blasts, that were left acoustically challenged and thus had a very low chance of survival if they are released. These animals are now under human care.

Protection

Aside form being a part of the system that collects stranding data, empowered communities, Philippine Marine Mammal Stranding Network (PMMSN) Chapters, mandated agencies such as the BFAR, and LGUs and their respective leaders have also functioned as emergency responders to marine mammal strandings.

Professor of environmental law at the University of Cebu, Liza Eisma-Osorio, explained that marine mammal protection by government agencies was backed by legislation such as the Fisheries Code of the Philippines and the Local Government Code.

“Basically most strandings occur at coastal, nearshore areas which are within the mandate to protect their municipal waters by LGUs under the Local Government Code and Fisheries Code," said Osorio. "The Wildlife Protection law also places direct responsibility for aquatic resource protection to BFAR, which is an important factor since these are highly migratory species.”

“There are adequate laws for their (marine mammals') legal protection; it is just limited... by capacity, and the systems that coordinate agencies for stranding cases."

Aragones and his fellow scientists conceded that there were still challenges to the rescue efforts and monitoring, and their study mentioned this.

Among the problems that has yet to be overcome was rescue teams' delayed response, which compromises the animal’s chance of survival, as most reported strandings occur in remote areas.

BFAR Region 1 responded to this challenge by converting one of its boats into a dolphin ambulance.

Another challenge is finding an accessible ponds or fish pens that could be used as holding areas for the rehabilitation of stranded animals.

Legal measures

The marine scientists' study is valuable for the conservation of marine mammals in the country, particularly in generating knowledge and information relevant for developing management plans and policies for their protection.

Aragones was convince that continued research would create awareness in the public to the danger of losing our biodiversity.

“Ang gusto ko lang i-push ay ang biodiversity loss natin... 'di ito na nalalagyan ng kaukulang pansin! Also, it's a call for a real program adressing the biodiversity loss issue na natabunan ng climate change masyado,” he added.

There have been programs and training programs implemented by the government, non-government and private organizations with the objective of protecting the country's lush marine environment.

Environmental lawyers also raised the issue before the Supreme Court in 2007.

Osorio, with lawyers Benjamin Cabrido and Oceana Philippines Vice President Gloria Estenzo-Ramos, filed a case before the Supreme Court in behalf of dolphins, toothed whales, other cetaceans in the Tañon Strait to protect them from the negative effects of oil exploration in the area.

The high court thus issued a ruling in 2015, declaring that the contract between the Department of Energy and the company that would conduct the oil exploration violated Republic Act No. 7586, or the National Integrated Protected Areas System (Nipas) Act of 1992.

“There is a need to address land-based, anthropogenic and waste pollution activities by LGUs primarily in conjunction with DENR and other agencies. Law enforcement and regulatory activities must be heightened against these activities especially destructive fishing activities. The role of steward communities and Bantay Dagats/deputized enforcers in assisting law enforcement cannot be overemphasized,” Osorio said.

She added, “Channeling the dolphin's case, every citizen is considered a steward of the environment so it is also a collective responsibility for all of us. We all have a role to play - to know, to act and to care for nature.” — DVM, GMA News