DAGUPAN CITY–The state of marine mammal preservation in the country is still in its “infancy stage”.

This was the observation of an official of Ocean Adventure who came to Pangasinan Wednesday to teach barangay officials in San Fabian town the ABCs of giving proper care to any dolphin beached on their shores.

Nonetheless, Dr. Mariel Buccat, a veterinarian, feels encouraged by the high awareness and  the willingness of residents to report the presence of stranded dolphins.

Ocean Adventure officials were invited to conduct a seminar during the Fish Conservation Week celebration under the auspices of National Fisheries Research and Development Incorporated Executive Director Dr. Westly Rosario, also the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) center chief here.

“It’s a good thing, people now report to BFAR,” Buccat said.

In the past, marine mammals found beached or caught by fishermen’s nets were almost always slaughtered to be sold or eaten as a delicacy.

Buccat thanked the local media for helping increase awareness on the need to protect and care for the mammals.

The Ocean Adventure, based in Subic, confirmed that there have been a number of beached dolphins found and reported along the Bataan and Zambales region facing the Lingayen Gulf.

Wayne Phillips, an Australian and the vice president for zoological operations of Ocean Adventure, pointed out, however, that in the absence of any data, it cannot be said that there have been more dolphins stranded lately.

Phillips said his team has responded to about 18 cases of stranding but only three were rescued and brought back to the sea.

He considers the three rescues already “quite a good number”.

He said that their group is exerting more efforts, in collaboration with BFAR people, to expand their education campaign while training BFAR personnel on handling first aid, and help prepare facilities where the beached animals could be given first aid treatment.

Last month, a wounded Risso’s dolphin (Grampus griseus), measuring 10 feet and three inches in length and six feet and six inches in its body circumference, was beached in San Fabian.

The BFAR biologists tried to save it but it died within hours.

 A burial site has already been designated near the BFAR office in Dagupan City for marine mammals who fail to survive after being beached. — EVA

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