A recent study by the University of the Philippines – Diliman College of Science (UPD-CS) highlights the urgent need for local government units (LGUs) to address the increasing number of marine mammal strandings in the Philippines.
Researchers, including Dr. Lemnuel Aragones and colleagues from various institutes, assessed marine mammal strandings from 2005 to 2022. They identified 35 LGU hotspots, with 24 located in Luzon, particularly in Regions 1 and 2.
Marine mammal strandings occur when these creatures are found on seashores or in shallow waters and cannot return to deeper waters. The study emphasized that fisheries production and interaction are major contributors to these strandings. This includes entanglement in fishing gear and illegal fishing activities.
Dr. Aragones, president of the Philippine Marine Mammal Stranding Network (PMMSN), explained, “Strandings can be of natural causes, but when marine mammals with good body condition strand, it could imply habitat compromise from human activities such as pollution and overexploitation.”
