Aragones_etal_2017_The_PHL_MarMam_Strandings_05_16_PMMSN_TechReport_final.pdf

Technical Report Series

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The Philippine Marine Mammal Strandings from 2005 to 2016 Lemnuel V. Aragones Honey Leen M. Laggui Apple Kristine S. Amor

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Technical Report Series

The Philippine Marine Mammal Strandings from 2005 to 2016 Lemnuel V. Aragones Honey Leen M. Laggui Apple Kristine S. Amor Marine Mammal Research and Stranding Laboratory Institute of Environmental Science & Meteorology University of the Philippines, Diliman, Quezon City The Philippine Marine Mammal Stranding Network, Inc Institute of Environmental Science and Meteorology University of the Philippines, Diliman, Quezon City

Copyright © 2017 by Lemnuel V. Aragones, Honey Leen M. Laggui, Apple Kristine S. Amor All rights reserved. This publication may be reproduced in a whole or in part and in any form for educational or non-profit purposes, provided acknowledgement of the source is made. Reproduction of this publication for resale or for any commercial purpose is strictly prohibited without prior written permission from the authors.

Recommended format for citation: Aragones, L.V., Laggui, H.L.M., Amor, A.K.S. 2017. The Philippine Marine Mammal Strandings from 2005 to 2016. A PMMSN Publication. Technical Report No.1. Quezon City, Philippines.

Layout by Honey Leen M. Laggui and Apple Kristine S. Amor

Catalogued in the National Library of the Philippines Printed in the Philippines ISBN 978-621-95396-2-3 (Softbound) ISBN 978-621-95396-3-0 (E-Book)

Cover and Copyright Page: Data collection and rehabilitation of stranded marine mammals in the Philippines (Courtesy of PMMSN Regional Chapters)

Disclaimer The information represented on these maps results from the Philippine Marine Mammal Stranding Database. They are intended to illustrate the text of this report. The Institute of Environmental Science & Meteorology, University of the Philippines Diliman, makes no representation or warranty concerning the accuracy of this information, nor claims it as a legal cartographic resource.

Published by: The Philippine Marine Mammal Stranding Network Inc (PMMSN) Institute of Environmental Science & Meteorology (IESM) Building University of the Philippines Diliman, Quezon City 1101 www.pmmsn.org

The Philippine marine mammal strandings from 2005 to 2016

Table of Contents ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ................................................................................................................................. 6 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY .................................................................................................................................. 7 INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................................................. 9 MATERIALS AND METHODS ........................................................................................................................ 12 RESULTS ...................................................................................................................................................... 14 Overall: National Level ............................................................................................................................ 14 Region I ................................................................................................................................................... 23 Region II .................................................................................................................................................. 32 Region III ................................................................................................................................................. 39 Region IV-A.............................................................................................................................................. 46 Region IV-B .............................................................................................................................................. 52 Region V .................................................................................................................................................. 59 Region VI ................................................................................................................................................. 67 Region VII ................................................................................................................................................ 74 Region VIII ............................................................................................................................................... 82 Region IX ................................................................................................................................................. 89 Region X .................................................................................................................................................. 96 Region XI ............................................................................................................................................... 100 Region XII .............................................................................................................................................. 107 Region XIII ............................................................................................................................................. 115 ARMM ................................................................................................................................................... 121 NCR........................................................................................................................................................ 127 DISCUSSION............................................................................................................................................... 130 Increasing trend in frequency of Philippine marine mammal strandings............................................. 130 Validation of diverse marine mammal strandings in the Philippines ................................................... 131 Special considerations for the Irrawaddy dolphin and the dugong...................................................... 132 Stranding hotspots in Luzon, Visayas & Mindanao............................................................................... 132 Spatial variation of strandings and utility of density maps................................................................... 133 Temporal variation of strandings .......................................................................................................... 134 The PMMSN’s improving response and imminent challenges ............................................................. 134 Some other notable findings................................................................................................................. 135 1

The Philippine marine mammal strandings from 2005 to 2016 SUMMARY ................................................................................................................................................. 137 REFERENCES .............................................................................................................................................. 138 APPENDICES .............................................................................................................................................. 141 PLATES ....................................................................................................................................................... 152

List of Figures Figure 1. The Regions of the Philippines with their corresponding names (Adapted from Aragones et al. 2010). .......................................................................................................................................................... 16 Figure 2. Annual frequency of stranding events from 2005 to 2016 (with trendline). .............................. 17 Figure 3. Original disposition (alive, dead, mixed, unknown) of stranded animals per region (2005-2016). .................................................................................................................................................................... 18 Figure 4. Stranding per region and by monsoon (season) from 2005 to 2016. .......................................... 19 Figure 5. Total number of stranding events per province (2005-2016). .................................................... 20 Figure 6. Most frequent to least frequent species that stranded from 2005 to 2016. .............................. 22 Figure 7. Frequency of stranding events (n=713) by age class. .................................................................. 23 Figure 8. Number of stranding events from 2005 to 2016 by provinces in Region I. ................................. 24 Figure 9a. Stranding distribution in Region I from 2005 to 2016. .............................................................. 25 Figure 9b. Stranding distribution in Region I in 2015……………………………………………………………………………..26 Figure 9c. Stranding distribution in Region I in 2016………………………………………………………………………………27 Figure 9d. Stranding density along the coasts of Region I from 2005 to 2016………………………………………..28 Figure 10. Number of stranding events per month in Region I from 2005 to 2016. .................................. 29 Figure 11. Stranding events by season in the provinces of Region I. ......................................................... 29 Figure 12. Number of stranding events from 2005 to 2016 by provinces in Region II. .............................. 32 Figure 13a. Stranding distribution in Region II from 2005 to 2016. ........................................................... 33 Figure 13b. Stranding distribution in Region II in 2015…….…………………………………………………………………….34 Figure 13c. Stranding distribution in Region II in 2016…………………………………………………………………………..35 Figure 13d. Stranding density along the coasts of Region II from 2005 to 2016……………………………………..36 Figure 14. Number of stranding events per month in Region II from 2005 to 2016. ................................. 37 Figure 15. Stranding events by season in the provinces of Region II. ........................................................ 37 Figure 16. Number of stranding events from 2005 to 2016 in the provinces of Region III. ....................... 39 Figure 17a. Stranding distribution in Region III from 2005 to 2016. .......................................................... 40 Figure 17b. Stranding distribution in Region III in 2015………………………………………………………………………….40 Figure 17c. Stranding distribution in Region III in 2016………………………………………………………………………….41 Figure 17d. Stranding density along the coasts of Region III from 2005 to 2016…………………………………….42 Figure 18. Number of stranding events per month in Region III from 2005 to 2016. ................................ 44 Figure 19. Number of stranding events from 2005 to 2016 in Region IV-A by province. ........................... 46 Figure 20a. Stranding distribution in Region IV-A from 2005 to 2016........................................................ 47 Figure 20b. Stranding distribution in Region IV-A in 2015………………………………………………………………………48 Figure 20c. Stranding distribution in Region IV-A in 2016………………………………………………………………………49 Figure 21. Stranding distribution in Region IV-A from 2005 to 2016. ........................................................ 50 Figure 22. Stranding events by season in the provinces of Region IV-A. .................................................... 50 Figure 23. Number of stranding events from 2005 to 2016 in Region IV-B by province. ........................... 54 2

The Philippine marine mammal strandings from 2005 to 2016 Figure 24a. Stranding distribution in Region IV-B from 2005-2016. ........................................................... 55 Figure 24b. Stranding distribution in Region IV-B in 2015………………………………………………………………………56 Figure 25. Number of stranding events per month in Region IV-B from 2005 to 2016. ............................ 58 Figure 26. Stranding events by season in the provinces of Region IV-B. .................................................... 58 Figure 27. Number of stranding events from 2005 to 2016 in the provinces of Region V. ........................ 59 Figure 28a. Stranding distribution in Region V from 2005 to 2016. ........................................................... 60 Figure 28b. Stranding distribution in Region V in 2015…………………………………………………………………………..60 Figure 28c. Stranding distribution in Region V in 2016…………………………………………………………………………..61 Figure 28d. Stranding density along the coasts of Region V from 2005 to 2016……………………………………..62 Figure 29. Number of stranding events per month in Region V from 2005 to 2016. ................................. 64 Figure 30. Stranding events by season in the provinces of Region V. ........................................................ 64 Figure 31. Number of stranding events from 2005 to 2016 in the provinces of Region VI. ....................... 67 Figure 32a. Stranding distribution in Region VI from 2005 to 2016. .......................................................... 68 Figure 32b. Stranding distribution in Region VI in 2015………………………………………………………………………….69 Figure 33c. Stranding distribution in Region VI in 2016………………………………………………………………………….70 Figure 33d. Stranding density along the coasts of Region VI from 2005 to 2016…………………………………….71 Figure 33. Number of stranding events per month in Region VI from 2005 to 2016. ................................ 72 Figure 34. Stranding events by season in the provinces of Region VI. ....................................................... 72 Figure 35. Number of stranding events from 2005 to 2016 in the provinces of Region VII. ...................... 75 Figure 36a. Stranding distribution in Region VII from 2005 to 2016. ......................................................... 76 Figure 36b. Stranding distribution in Region VII in 2015…………………………………………………………………………77 Figure 36c. Stranding distribution in Region VII in 2016…………………………………………………………………………78 Figure 36d. Stranding density along the coasts of Region VII from 2005 to 2016……………………………………79 Figure 37. Number of stranding events per month in Region VII from 2005 to 2016. ............................... 80 Figure 38. Stranding events by season in the provinces of Region VII. ...................................................... 80 Figure 39. Number of stranding events from 205 to 2016 in the provinces of Region VIII. ....................... 83 Figure 40a. Stranding distribution in Region VIII from 2005 to 2016. ........................................................ 84 Figure 40b. Stranding distribution in Region VIII in 2015……………………………………………………………………….85 Figure 40c. Stranding distribution in Region VIII in 2016………………………………………………………………………..86 Figure 41. Number of stranding events per month in Region VIII from 2005 to 2016. .............................. 87 Figure 42. Stranding events by season for provinces of Region VIII. .......................................................... 87 Figure 43. Number of stranding events from 2005 to 2006 in Region IX province. ................................... 89 Figure 44a. Stranding distribution in Region IX from 2005 to 2016. .......................................................... 91 Figure 44b. Stranding distribution in Region IX in 2015………………………………………………………………………….92 Figure 44c. Stranding distribution in Region IX in 2016………………………………………………………………………….93 Figure 44d. Stranding density along the coasts of Region IX from 2005 to 2016…………………………………….94 Figure 45. Number of stranding events per month in Region IX. ............................................................... 95 Figure 46. Stranding events by season for the provinces of Region IX. ...................................................... 95 Figure 47. Number of stranding events from 2005 to 2006 in the provinces of Region X. ........................ 96 Figure 48a. Stranding distribution in Region X from 2005 to 2016. ........................................................... 98 Figure 49. Number of stranding events per month in Region X from 2005 to 2006. ................................. 99 Figure 50. Stranding events by season per province of Region X. .............................................................. 99 Figure 51. Number of stranding events from 2005 to 2016 in the provinces of Region XI. ..................... 100 Figure 52a. Stranding distribution in Region XI from 2005 to 2016. ........................................................ 101 3

The Philippine marine mammal strandings from 2005 to 2016 Figure 52b. Stranding distribution in Region XI in 2015………………………………………………………………………..102 Figure 52c. Stranding distribution in Region XI in 2016………………………………………………………………………..103 Figure 52d. Stranding density along the coasts of Region XI from 2005 to 2016………………………………….104 Figure 53. Number of stranding events per month in Region XI from 2005 to 2016. .............................. 105 Figure 54. Stranding events by season per province of Region XI............................................................105 Figure 55. Number of stranding events from 2005 to 2016 in the provinces of Region XII. .................... 108 Figure 56a. Stranding distribution in Region XII from 2005 to 2016. ....................................................... 110 Figure 56b. Stranding distribution in Region XII in 2015……………………………………………………………………….111 Figure 56c. Stranding distribution in Region XII in 2016……………………………………………………………………….112 Figure 56d. Stranding density along the coasts of region XII from 2005 to 2016………………………………….113 Figure 57. Number of stranding events per month in Region XII from 2005 to 2016. ............................. 114 Figure 58. Stranding events by season per province in Region XII. .......................................................... 114 Figure 59. Number of stranding events from 2005 to 2006 in the provinces of Region XIII. ................... 115 Figure 60a. Stranding distribution in Region XIII from 2005 to 2016. ...................................................... 117 Figure 60b. Stranding distribution in Region XIII in 2015………………………………………………………………………118 Figure 60c. Stranding distribution in Region XIII in 2016………………………………………………………………………119 Figure 61. Number of stranding events per month in Region XIII from 2005 to 2016. ............................ 120 Figure 62. Stranding events by season for provinces covered by Region XIII .......................................... 120 Figure 63. Number of stranding events from 2005 to 2006 in ARMM provinces………………………………….121 Figure 64a. Stranding distribution in ARMM from 2005 to 2016………………………………………………………….123 Figure 64b. Stranding distribution in ARMM in 2015……………………………………………………………………………124 Figure 64c Stranding distribution in ARMM in 2016…………………………………………………………………………….125 Figure 65. Number of stranding events per month in the ARMM from 2005 to 2016............................. 126 Figure 66. Stranding events by season in the provinces covered by ARMM. ........................................... 126 Figure 67. Number of stranding events from 2005 to 2016 in NCR. ........................................................ 127 Figure 68. Stranding distribution in NCR from 20015 to 2016. ................................................................ 128 Figure 69. Number of stranding events per month in NCR from 2005 to 2016. ...................................... 129 Figure 70. Stranding events per season in the NCR. ................................................................................. 129 List of Tables Table 1. A summary of marine mammal stranding events from 2005-2016. ............................................ 17 Table 2. Stranding frequency per region per year (2005-2016). ................................................................ 19 Table 3. Presence and absence of marine mammal species per region based on strandings (2005-2016). .................................................................................................................................................................... 21 Table 4. Stranding events by season in the provinces of Region I. ............................................................. 30 Table 5. Stranding events by season in the provinces of Region II. ............................................................ 38 Table 6. Stranding frequency of species that stranded in Region III. ......................................................... 44 Table 7. Stranding frequency of species that stranded in Region IV-A....................................................... 51 Table 8. Stranding frequency of species that stranded in Region IV-B....................................................... 52 Table 9. Stranding frequency of species that stranded in Region V. .......................................................... 65 Table 10. Stranding frequency of species that stranded in Region VI. ....................................................... 73 Table 11. Stranding frequency of species that stranded in Region VII. ...................................................... 81 Table 12. Stranding frequency of species that stranded in Region VIII. ..................................................... 88 4

The Philippine marine mammal strandings from 2005 to 2016 Table 13. Stranding frequency of species that stranded in Region IX. ....................................................... 89 Table 14. Stranding frequency of species that stranded in Region X ......................................................... 96 Table 15. Stranding frequency of species that stranded in Region XI. ..................................................... 106 Table 16. Stranding frequency of species that stranded in Region XII. .................................................... 108 Table 17. Stranding frequency of species that stranded in Region XIII. ................................................... 115 Table 18. Stranding frequency of species that stranded in ARMM. ......................................................... 121 Table 19. Stranding frequency of species that stranded in NCR. ............................................................. 127

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The Philippine marine mammal strandings from 2005 to 2016

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS This report would not have been possible without the support of the University of the Philippines – Diliman, particularly the Marine Mammal Research and Stranding Laboratory of the Institute of Environmental Science & Meteorology. Thanks to Chancellor Michael Tan and CS Dean Joey Balmaceda. Also, the never-ending support from PMMSN’s core member institutions: BFAR, Ocean Adventure, Wildlife In Need, UP IESM, and the LGUs has been very critical and much appreciated. Very special thanks to Timothy Desmond, Gail Laule, and Scott Sharpe, the founders of OA, who spearheaded the development of this Network by sharing their knowledge and the technique of proper stranding response, founded on animal welfare. The Philippine Marine Mammal Stranding Network would not be in this excellent state without the active participation of the BFAR Regional Directors, officers, personnel, & their QRTs. The Network is especially indebted to the BFAR Regional Directors (RDs), also acting Board Members, namely, Nestor Domenden (Region I), Milagros Morales (Region II), Wilfredo Cruz (Region III), Lilian Garcia (Region IV-A), Dennis del Socorro (Region V), Allan Poquita (Region VII), Visa Dimerin (VIII), Isidro Velayo, Jr. (Region IX), Fatma Idris (Region XI), Sammy Malvas (Region XII), and Juan Albaladejo (XIII), who have been very supportive in all activities of the Network. Thanks also to RDs Elizer Salilig (IV-B), Remia Aparri (Region VI), Asuncion Maputol (Region X), Janice Musali (ARMM), and ARDs Dina Gaerlan (I), Marjurie Grutas (V) and Gie Bartolome (IV-A) for sharing data from their respective regions. Thanks to ARD Marj Grutas for also serving as a Board Member. We are also very grateful to former RDs Jovita Ayson (II), Andres Bojos (VII), Esmeralda Manalang (IV-A), Remedios Ontangco (III), and Nerio Casil (XIII), & Glo Diaz (FARMC) for their all-out support for PMMSN and serving as Board Members during their tenure as RDs/officers in their regions. Likewise, PMMSN is indebted to the past Directors of BFAR, Atty Malcolm Sarmiento and Atty Asis Perez, and the current Director, Cmdr Eduardo Gongona for all their support and cooperation. The network is grateful to all those with whom we have had the pleasure to do work with, specifically the leaders in the LGUs, Governors: Jose Ma. Clemente Salceda (Albay), Edgardo Chatto (Bohol), Albert Raymond Garcia (Bataan), Vicente Gato (Batanes), Gov Hilario Davide III (Cebu), Imee Marcos (Ilocos Norte), Carmencita Reyes (Marinduque), Rizalina Seachon-Lanete (Masbate), Roel Degamo (Negros Oriental), David Suarez (Quezon), Eduardo Firmalo (Romblon), Alfredo Maranon Jr. (Negros Occidental), Steve Solon (Sarangani), Zaldy Villa (Siquijor), Raul Lee (Sorsogon), Hermogenes Ebdane Jr. (Zambales), Ryan Luis Singson (Ilocos Sur), Amado Espino Jr (Pangasinan). Special thanks to the former Governor of Guimaras, Dr Felipe Hilan Nava, and former Vice Gov Jinkee Pacquiao (Sarangani). The PMMSN has endured many tests and continue to face new challenges. We are thankful to Gail Laule, Leo Suarez, Bianca Espinos, and Mariel Buccat-Flores for serving as officers and/or Board Members of the PMMSN. Thanks also to the WIN, especially Gail Laule for securing grants yearly from the SWBG Conservation Funds to support PMMSN activities. Thanks also to the group of veterinarians who helped and continue to showcase and share their skills with regards to the medical management of stranders: Drs Chris Torno, Mariel Buccat-Flores, Leo Suarez, and Bob Braun, all at some point worked in Ocean Adventure. Special thanks also to Dr Joseph Masangkay for serving as adviser. Many people assisted in the collection and submission of all the stranding data. These are mostly the same people who have tirelessly given their precious time and energy to respond to strandings in their respective areas. We thank Francis Maniago, Belmor Bugaoan, Dr Sam Licudine, Henry Canlas, Art Valente, Drs Jene Suliva, Loida Valenzuela & Diane Licuan, Drs Ronnie & Lilian Duque, Dr Jeff Soriano, Dr Elma Bermudez, Dr Evelyn Ame, Nelson Bien, Dr Liezel Monido, Dr Marco Espiritu, Nonie Enolva, Noel Umbao, Dr Enrique Espiritu, Milcah Valente, Wing Olama, Aileen Jornales, Elena Ylana, Tata Mapa, Dr Jenne Cabarubias, Johann Tejada, Darwin Igot, Albert Simbajon, Irish Belmonte, Dr Teodora Bagarinao, Dr Elaine Belvis, Arturo Muros, Dr Paul Miñano, Rita Sarmiento, Dr JM Victoria, Rey Ramilo, Danica Lopez, Dr Pido Manglicmot, Maia Lim, Dr Chris Luyong, Dr Mario Ariola, Bong Tuballes, Jopy Caneda, Joy Uriarte, Glen Padro, Ann Finalla, Cornelio Ramirez & Dr Richard Muallil. Special thanks to Jonah Bondoc, Meanne Borigas, Faith Paran, Chardie Casiguran, Jam Caras, Dr Windell Rivera, Dr Auxie Siringan, and Dr Christine Obusan. This is a very long list of people to thank. We apologize for any inadvertent omissions.

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The Philippine marine mammal strandings from 2005 to 2016

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Marine mammals strand for various reasons. The recorded Philippine marine mammal stranding events from 2005 to 2016 was analyzed for patterns on (1) species composition of stranded marine mammals, (2) spatial and temporal variation of stranding events, and (3) proportions of alive and dead specimens, to mention a few. A total of 713 stranding events have been recorded comprised mainly of single stranders (n=638), mass stranding events (n=31), out of habitat (n=15) and Unusual Mortality Events (n=29). The UMEs occurred in Region I only. The annual frequency of recorded stranding events ranged from 24 (2005) to 111 (2015), with an average of 59 events per year. Most of the strandings occurred in Luzon (60%) while Visayas and Mindanao had equal share (20% each). Strandings have been recorded in all regions with coastline and in 64 coastal provinces. The top five regions on a national level which have had the highest number of recorded stranding events (i.e. stranding hotspots) were: Regions I (n= 158), V (n=92), VII (n=68), III (n=53) and II (n=48). The regions with the least number of recorded stranding events were: NCR (n=3), ARMM (n=6), 13 (n=11). In the Visayas, Region VI (n=47) was also an area of concern, apart from Region VII. Similarly, in Mindanao Regions XII (n=44), XI (n=42), and IX (n=25) were hotspots. Region IX was considered as a hotspot primarily because it has the highest proportion of live stranders on record (84%, 21 of 25). Overall, 60% (n=430) of all recorded stranding events involved live animals. In terms of seasonality, strandings were relatively more frequent during the Northeast monsoon (NE) in most provinces than the Southwest monsoon or Inter-monsoon. The bulk of the recorded strandings (76%) came from the top 20 provinces of the 64 represented. The top six provinces in terms of frequency of recorded strandings were Pangasinan (n= 63), Ilocos Norte (n= 52), Cagayan (n= 40), Sarangani (n= 37), Sorsogon (n=30), and Zambales (n=29). A total of 29 species (28 cetaceans plus the dugong) of marine mammals have been recorded throughout the Philippines, mostly confirmed through stranding records. Of the 29 species, 27 have stranding records, with Regions III and V both having the highest number of marine mammal species recorded (n=17); followed by Regions I and II (n=16), and 3 (n=15). The most frequent species that stranded was the spinner dolphin (Stenella longirostris, n=115), followed by the Fraser’s dolphin (Lagenodelphis hosei, n=67), Risso’s dolphin (Grampus griseus, n=52), melon-headed whale (Peponocephala electra, n=45), Pantropical spotted dolphin (Stenella attenuate, n=37), dwarf sperm whale (Kogia sima, n=36), and the dugong (Dugong dugon, n=36). Another notable result was that the spinner dolphins was the most common stranded species and had been recorded to have stranded in 15 out of 16 regions. This implies that the spinner dolphin is most likely the most abundant and widely distributed marine mammal species in the Philippines. On the other hand, only 23 (3%) records of baleen whale strandings were documented. Majority of the stranding events involved adults (n=501, 70%). The ratio of stranded females to males was almost even (0.92). Furthermore, a total of 1561 individuals were recorded to have been involved in all (n=713) stranding events from 2005 to 2016: out of habitat = 745, single = 651, mass = 134, and UME = 31. All the out of habitat animals, except three (3), eventually made it back to open seas. Out of the single stranders, 395 (61%) stranded alive. Of these, 329 were released immediately or after a few hours of 7

The Philippine marine mammal strandings from 2005 to 2016 supportive care, including 5 baleen whales (i.e. adults to sub-adults). Sixty-six individuals were rehabilitated: 48 died (72%), 11 released (17%), 4 (6%) long-term care, and 3 euthanized (4%). The response to strandings has remarkably improved through time. This was mainly attributed to the significant increase in numbers of PMMSN Chapter and trained volunteers nationwide. The PMMSN now have at least 12 collaborating BFAR Regional Offices, 11 with MOAs and 1 currently being worked out. In 2010, 5 years after the establishment of PMMSN, there were 1736 trained volunteers. To date, there are 3690 trained volunteers, including at least 75 veterinarians who underwent a special training on medical management for stranded marine mammals. The existence of active PMMSN Chapters in several regions through the initiatives of BFAR Regional Directors, and local chief executives of provinces and cities/municipalities has enabled better response than before. Further, BFAR Regional Offices in regions I, II, II, IVA, V, VII, VIII, XI, and XIII have either already organized or are planning to organize provincial chapters of PMMSN through their Provincial Fisheries Offices to further enhance their capacity to respond to strandings. Regions IX, X and XII are currently setting up their respective Chapters. However, there are still many challenges. For instance, the coordination between the individual(s) who initially discover stranded marine mammals and trained local personnel (responders) needs to improve. Most often the discovering parties do not know who to call. This is unfortunate because, to date, there are many trained locals, especially in strategic (hotspot) areas, who are knowledgeable about stranding first response protocols. Supposedly, the assistance of the pertinent personnel from BFAR Regional Office (e.g. veterinarian) and/or PMMSN, would be required or immediately pursued only if there was no local individual(s) trained or after the animal has been given first aid and stabilized. Another challenge is finding accessible pond or enclosures for possible use as holding pens for rehabilitation of stranded animals in remote areas. Another noteworthy finding was the significant number of live animals rescued and released back into their habitats. For the last 12 years, at least 329 individuals were released after providing supportive care. That was equivalent to 27 animals per year. Furthermore, the success rate of rehabilitation has increased from 12% in 2010 to 23%, to date. The 11 animals successfully rehabilitated was equivalent to almost 1 animal released per year. Furthermore, four dolphins, mostly victims of dynamite blasts, and therefore are acoustically challenged, and with almost nil chances of survival if released, are now under human care with their conspecifics. The PMMSN has also observed increasing cases of stranders (dead or dying) with compacted GIT by marine debris. A systematic collection of information regarding these sorts of cases and the like is now in place. These would not have been possible if there was no organized national stranding network (i.e. the PMMSN) that looked after their welfare as well as systematically collected data. Ultimately, the engagement of empowered communities (e.g. PMMSN Chapters), especially mandated agencies (i.e. BFAR, LGUs) and their respective leaders, made the difference for the Philippine marine mammal strandings.

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The Philippine marine mammal strandings from 2005 to 2016

INTRODUCTION The Philippine waters harbor a diverse assemblage of marine mammals. Marine mammal is a collective term that refers to animals that have evolved anatomical features and physiological adaptations to live in the aquatic environment (e.g. Berta et al. 2006). Various Orders comprise marine` mammals such as Cetacea, Sirenia and Carnivora. Cetaceans include whales, dolphins and porpoises, and are the most aquatically adapted and ecologically diverse group of marine mammals. Sirenians consist of the sea cows such as manatees and dugongs, and herbivorous. Carnivorous marine mammals have the capability to live from the land (including ice) to oceans and tropical to polar latitudes. This group consist of the pinnipeds (such as sea lions, seals and walruses), aquatic otters (riverine and marine) and the polar bear. The Philippine marine mammals consist of 26-28 cetaceans, the dugong (Dugong dugon) and the Asian smallclawed otter (Aonyx cinereus) (Aragones 2008, Aragones et al. 2010, Aragones 2013, Aragones et al. unpublished data). Marine mammals are said to be stranded when an individual or group is beached or run aground in a helpless situation and are not able to return to their natural habitats. A stranded marine mammal can be categorized as live or dead, single or mass and out-of-habitat depending on the initial state when it was observed (Geraci and Lounsbury 2005). An individual animal or a mother and its calf is referred as single stranding while stranding of two or more cetaceans other than a mother and her calf is considered as mass stranding. An out-of-habitat event is when marine mammals, usually pelagic species, are found near the shallow waters and likely at risk of becoming stranded. Another stranding category is the Unusual Mortality Event (UME), which the US Marine Mammal Protection Act defines, is a stranding that is of unexpected magnitude in terms of number of individuals involved and/or geographic coverage often requiring immediate action. Marine mammal stranding occurs globally and their causes are often complex and not yet fully understood. Various explanations have been put forward (e.g. Perrin and Geraci 2002, Walker et al. 2005, Geraci and Lounsbury 2005). Some possible reasons for these strandings include health condition (i.e. parasitic infection, disease, and illness), behavior (i.e. tight social bonds and response from injuries from predators), environmental factors (i.e. complex topographic features, meteorological and oceanographic conditions) and human interactions. The Marine Mammal Research and Stranding Laboratory of the Institute of Environmental Science & Meteorology at the University of the Philippines – Diliman is attempting to examine these factors as part of its mission. 9

The Philippine marine mammal strandings from 2005 to 2016 A systematic effort to collect information regarding marine mammal stranding provides extremely valuable scientific information (e.g. Danil et al. 2010, Aragones et al. 2010). Marine mammal stranding records can provide information regarding species distribution, mortality, occurrence, movement patterns and ocean and human health (Norman et al. 2004). Furthermore, carcasses of stranded specimen can offer information regarding its life history, genetics, feeding ecology, contaminants and parasites (Perrin and Geraci 2002). Live stranders, especially when rare species are involved can be valuable source of new information by recording observations (e.g. behavior, physiology) during the actual response (Berini 2009). Therefore, a great deal of scientific opportunities is presented by stranded marine mammals. Formal response programs for stranded marine mammals have been established primarily in several developed countries (e.g. United States, Australia, and United Kingdom). In the United States, the Marine Mammal Health and Stranding Response Program (MMHSRP) has mandate over regional volunteer stranding networks as provided for by their Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) of 1972. These networks respond and whenever possible, investigate the causes of death of stranded cetacean (e.g. Danil et al. 2010). In Southeast Asia, some countries including Vietnam, Thailand and the Philippines have some semblance of established response programs for stranded marine mammals (Smith et al. 1997, Perrin and Geraci 2002, Aragones et al. 2010). The Philippine Marine Mammal Stranding Network (PMMSN) is a SEC registered non-profit organization. It is composed of trained volunteers based in the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), Ocean Adventure (OA), Wildlife In Need (WIN), local government units, the Institute of Environmental Science & Meteorology (IESM) of the University of the Philippines (Diliman), and Provincial/City Veterinary Offices, and individuals who respond, collect and collate stranding information. The PMMSN was established in 2005 through a collaboration of the BFAR and Ocean Adventure. The BFAR has mandate over all the marine mammals in the Philippines, except for the dugong, which is under the purview of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) (RA 8550, RA 9147). The PMMSN has been authorized to respond to stranded cetaceans through a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the various regional offices of BFAR. In the Philippines, the occurrence of stranded marine mammals is not surprising because the country is an archipelago of more than 7,000 islands with 36,289 km of total coastline (Aragones et al. 2010). Using compiled strandings data from 1998-2009, an initial but detailed analysis of stranded marine mammals in the Philippines was conducted by Aragones and his colleagues (2010). This study (Aragones et al.) in 2010 10

The Philippine marine mammal strandings from 2005 to 2016 highlighted the relatively high proportion of live stranders (65%) in the Philippines; and suggested three possible reasons: (1) increasing fishing efforts (and potential interaction with gears), (2) acoustic trauma from blast fishing, and (3) biotoxins coupled in their food chain. More recently, Obusan et al. (2015) recorded from stranded cetaceans in the Philippines a diverse assemblage of pathogens including a parasite, Toxoplasma gondii, which causes toxoplasmosis. Their study also concluded that Philippine marine mammal strandings provide evidence for impacts of human interactions (e.g. fishery, maritime vessels) on cetaceans. The main objective of this report is to highlight the results of an ongoing study that is investigating the various aspects of marine mammal strandings in the Philippines. This study uses the dataset from the Philippine Marine Mammal Stranding Network to elucidate patterns on (1) species composition of stranded marine mammals; (2) spatial and temporal variation of stranding events; and (3) proportions of alive and dead specimens, to mention a few. Results of this study are valuable for the conservation of marine mammals in the Philippines, particularly in generating knowledge and information relevant for developing management plans and policies for their protection. Similarly, collection of stranding information could be vital on many aspects marine mammal science and for monitoring the changes in our marine environment (e.g. One Health). This will be the start of series of national reports regarding stranded marine mammals that will be submitted by the PMMSN to BFAR biennially.

11

The Philippine marine mammal strandings from 2005 to 2016

MATERIALS AND METHODS Records of stranded marine mammals were collected and collated by the PMMSN through the Marine Mammal Research and Stranding Laboratory of the University of the Philippines - Diliman, Institute of Environmental Science and Meteorology (IESM) from the national governmental agencies (primarily BFAR) through their regional offices, local government units (LGUs) and other governmental agencies, and non-governmental organizations (i.e. OA and WIN). Similarly, reports from the media in the form of newspapers, journals and online reports (primarily those in archives and social networks) were also considered after validation. Furthermore, records of marine mammal collections from strandings deposited in museums (e.g. National Museum) were also included. Most of the data were collected on site by the responders who assist in stranding events. Primarily Levels A and B data including information on species, location, stranding date and time, age class (calf, subadult and adult), live or dead, carcass code, morphometrics, rehabilitated or immediately released, or restranding, to mention a few, were recorded (after Perrin and Geraci 2002) using the PMMSN’s Stranding Report Form (after Aragones et al. 2010, Aragones et al. 2013, see Appendix 1). Whenever possible, other significant information was also collected (i.e. Level C data) including the potential causes of stranding (e.g. fisheries interaction), tissues, and mode of carcass disposal and report of post-mortem examination. Information regarding strandings of marine mammal was sparse on years prior to 1998. The regularity of yearly stranding data collection started in 2005 after the establishment of the PMMSN. Thus, the datasets utilized in these analyses were limited from 2005 to 2015. Stranding events that occurred between these years were examined for differences in stranding frequency by year, region, season, species, gender, age class, dead or alive, and rehabilitation success. Data collected on location and date of marine mammal stranding were mapped and projected using ArcGIS 10.1 to visually present spatial and temporal variation of stranding events. UTM coordinate system (WGS_1984_UTM_Zone_51N) was used as map projection. Presentation of results for the two most recent years (2015 & 2016) was created to emphasize on the current strandings. Density maps for stranding events were created for the hotspot regions using the Kernel Density Tool in ArcGIS 10.1 with a search radius of 5000 m and an output cell size of 150 m. Furthermore, months were divided based on the amount of rainfall and prevailing winds at certain months of the year for the seasonal scheme of the country. Months of October to February were categorized as Northeast monsoon (NE), June until 12

The Philippine marine mammal strandings from 2005 to 2016 September Southwest monsoon (SW), while March to May were the Inter-monsoon months (after Flores and Balagot 1969). Specific presentation of results per Region (see Fig 1) and sometimes into Provinces was intended to recognize the importance of this spatial coverage as it is used for administrative (i.e. management) purposes.

13

The Philippine marine mammal strandings from 2005 to 2016

RESULTS Overall: National Level A total of 713 stranding events have been recorded from 2005 to 2016, which comprised mainly of single stranders (n=638), mass stranding events (n=31), out of habitat (n=15) and UME (n=29) (Table 1). All the UMEs occurred in Region I only. The annual frequency of recorded stranding events ranged from 24 (2005) to 111 (2015), with an average of 59 events per year (Fig 2). Most of the strandings occurred in Luzon (60%), while Visayas and Mindanao had equal share (20% each). Strandings have been recorded in all regions with coastline and in 64 coastal provinces. The top five regions on a national level which have had the highest number of recorded stranding events (i.e. hotspots) were Regions I (n= 158), V (n=92), VII (n=68), III (n=53) and II (n=48) (Table 2). The regions with the least number of recorded stranding events were NCR (n=3), ARMM (n=6), 13 (n=11). In the Visayas, Region VI (n=47) was also an area of concern for strandings, apart from Region VII. Similarly, in Mindanao, Regions XII (n=44), XI (n=42), and IX (n=25) were hotspots. Region IX was considered as a hotspot primarily because it has the highest proportion of live stranders recorded (84%, 21 of 25). Overall, 60% (n=430) of all recorded stranding events involved live animals (see Fig 3). In terms of seasonality, strandings were relatively more frequent during the Northeast monsoon (NE) in most provinces than the SW monsoon or Inter-monsoon (Fig 4). Majority of the recorded strandings (76%) came from the top 20 provinces of the 64 represented (Fig 5). The top six provinces in terms of frequency of recorded strandings were Pangasinan (n= 63), Ilocos Norte (n= 52), Cagayan (n= 40), Sarangani (n= 37), Sorsogon (n=30), and Zambales (n=29). A total of 29 species (28 cetaceans plus the dugong) of marine mammals have been recorded throughout the Philippines, mostly confirmed through stranding records (see Appendix 2). Of the 29 species, 27 have stranding records, with Regions III and V both recording the highest number of marine mammal species (n=17); followed by Regions I and II (n=16), and 3 (n=15) (Table 3). The most frequent species that stranded was the spinner dolphin (Stenella longirostris, n=115), followed by the Fraser’s dolphin (Lagenodelphis hosei, n=67), Risso’s dolphin (Grampus griseus, n=52), melon-headed whale (Peponocephala electra, n=45), Pantropical spotted dolphin (Stenella attenuate, n=37), dwarf sperm whale (Kogia sima, n=36), and the dugong (Dugong dugon, n=36) (Fig 6). Spinner dolphins had also been recorded to have stranded in 15 out of 16 regions. At least 23 (3%) records of baleen whale strandings were documented. On the other hand, the sperm whale (Physeter macropcephalus) was the most gigantic (often at least 10 m long) among the common stranders, which gathered much attention every time it 14

The Philippine marine mammal strandings from 2005 to 2016 stranded (n=32), either in Luzon, Visayas or Mindanao (see Plate 1). Some photos showing various examples of marine mammal strandings in the Philippines are presented in Appendix 4. Majority of the stranding events involved adults (n=501, 70%) (Fig 7). The ratio of stranded females to males was almost even (0.92). Furthermore, a total of 1561 individuals were recorded to have been involved in the all (n=713) stranding events from 2005 to 2016: out of habitat = 745, single = 651, mass = 134, and UME = 31. All the out of habitat animals, except three (3), eventually made it back to open seas. Out of the single stranders, 395 (61%) stranded alive. Of these, 329 were released immediately or after a few hours of supportive care, including 5 baleen whales. Sixty-six individuals were rehabilitated: 48 died (72%), 11 released (17%), 4 (6%) long-term care, and 3 euthanized (4%).

15

The Philippine marine mammal strandings from 2005 to 2016

Figure 1. The Regions of the Philippines with their corresponding names (Adapted from Aragones et al. 2010).

16

The Philippine marine mammal strandings from 2005 to 2016

Table 1. A summary of marine mammal stranding events from 2005-2016. Stranding Event Mass Out of habitat Single UME Total

Stranding frequency 31 15 638 29 713

120

111 104

100 82

76

Frequency

80 65 60

50

55

53

36

40 24

28

29

20 0 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 Year

Figure 2. Annual frequency of stranding events from 2005 to 2016 (with trendline).

17

The Philippine marine mammal strandings from 2005 to 2016 180 160 140

Frequency

120 100 unknown 80

Mixed

60

Dead Alive

40 20 0

Region

Figure 3. Original disposition (alive, dead, mixed, unknown) of stranded animals per region (20052016).

18

The Philippine marine mammal strandings from 2005 to 2016 Table 2. Stranding frequency per region per year (2005-2016). 2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

2016

Total (Average)

I (Ilocos Region)

2

3

6

6

7

10

12

14

17

25

44

12

158 (13)

II (Cagayan Valley)

5

3

5

-

-

3

3

4

9

7

7

2

48 (5)

III (Central Luzon)

3

4

-

3

7

11

3

3

4

7

3

5

53 (5)

IV A (CALABARZON)

-

2

2

1

8

3

3

1

-

5

10

6

41 (4)

IV B (MIMAROPA)

-

-

-

1

4

3

8

1

4

2

4

6

32 (4)

V (Bicol Region)

-

4

2

1

10

12

10

10

9

11

7

16

92 (8)

VI (Western Visayas)

1

2

4

6

-

2

6

4

3

6

6

7

47 (4)

VII (Central Visayas)

5

6

1

3

5

1

11

3

10

15

4

4

68 (6)

VIII (Eastern Visayas)

-

-

3

1

3

4

4

3

-

2

2

1

23 (3)

Region

IX (Zamboanga Peninsula) X (Northern Mindanao) XI (Davao Region)

-

4

2

1

1

1

5

2

-

2

3

4

25 (3)

2

1

1

2

2

2

7

-

-

3

-

-

20 (3)

1

-

-

-

1

4

2

3

9

16

5

42 (5)

XII (SOCCSKSARGEN)

5

3

1

2

2

2

4

5

5

7

3

5

44 (4)

XIII (CARAGA)

-

2

1

1

1

-

-

1

-

2

1

2

11 (1)

ARMM

-

1

-

-

-

-

2

-

-

1

1

1

6 (1)

NCR

-

1

-

1

-

-

-

-

1

-

-

-

3 (1)

Total

24

36

28

29

50

55

82

53

65

104

111

75

713

180 160 140

Frequency

120 100 80

unknown

60

SW

40

NE

20

IM

0

ARM NCR M

1

2

3

4A

4B

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

unknown

8

0

0

1

0

0

0

2

1

2

0

1

0

4

0

0

SW

35

19

13

6

7

27

25

26

7

11

5

9

15

2

0

0

NE

71

14

20

16

13

36

12

26

13

10

3

18

20

3

1

1

IM

44

15

20

17

12

29

10

14

2

2

12

14

9

2

5

2

Figure 4. Stranding per region and by monsoon (season) from 2005 to 2016. 19

Ilocos Norte Ilocos Sur La Union Pangasinan Batanes Cagayan Isabela Aurora Bataan Bulacan Pampanga Zambales Batangas Cavite Quezon Occidental Mindoro Oriental Mindoro Palawan Romblon Albay Camarines Norte Camarines Sur Catanduanes Masbate Sorsogon Aklan Antique Capiz Guimaras Iloilo Negros Occidental Bohol Cebu Negros Oriental Siquijor Biliran Leyte Samar (Western Samar) Southern Leyte Zamboanga Del Norte Zamboanga del Sur Zamboanga Sibugay Camiguin Lanao del Norte Misamis Oriental Compostela Valley Davao del Norte Davao del Sur Davao Occidental Davao Oriental Sarangani South Cotabato Agusan del Norte Dinagat Islands Surigao del Norte Surigao del Sur City of Isabela Maguindanao Tawi-Tawi National Capital Region

Frequency

The Philippine marine mammal strandings from 2005 to 2016

70 63

60

50 52

40 40 37

30 29 26

13

10 4

1 4

2 6 4 1

3 30

22 21 20

12 6

2

4A 4B

21

6

3

5

23 27

20 19

11 12 10

5 5 6 23

14

6

16

8 8

3 2

7

8 11

5 6

8

4 6

1 1

9

3

10

9 11

5 7

1

11

2 1

12

6

13

2 1 2 3 3

0

Province ARMM NCR

Figure 5. Total number of stranding events per province (2005-2016).

20

The Philippine marine mammal strandings from 2005 to 2016 Table 3. Presence and absence of marine mammal species per region based on strandings (2005-2016). Region Species

III

IV A

IV B

5

6

I

II

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

Balaenoptera edeni







✓



✓

Balaenoptera omurai





✓







Balaenoptera spp





✓





Baleanotera physalus









NCR

Total





✓









✓



✓

















4

✓

✓

4























1



✓





















1

ARMM

Dugong dugon





✓

✓

✓

✓

✓

✓



✓



✓

✓







9

Feresa attenuata

✓

✓

✓





✓





















4

Globicephala macrorhynchus

✓

✓

✓



✓



✓

✓



✓

✓

✓

✓







10

Grampus griseus

✓

✓

✓

✓

✓

✓

✓

✓

✓

✓

✓







✓



12

Indopacetus pacificus







✓



✓





















2

Kogia breviceps

✓

✓

✓

✓

✓

✓

✓

✓

✓





✓

✓

✓

✓



13

Kogia sima

✓

✓

✓

✓

✓

✓

✓



✓

✓

✓

✓

✓

✓



✓

14

Lagenodelphis hosei Megaptera novaeangliae Mesoplodon densirostris

✓

✓

✓

✓

✓

✓

✓

✓





✓

✓

✓







11

✓

✓

✓



























3



✓











✓





✓

✓

✓

✓





6

Mesoplodon gingkodens





✓



























1

Mesoplodon hotaula























✓









1

Mesoplodon sp

✓





✓















✓









3

Orcaella brevirostris













✓



















1

Peponocephala electra

✓

✓

✓

✓

✓

✓



✓

✓

✓





✓

✓





11

Physeter macrocephalus

✓

✓



✓



✓



✓



✓



✓

✓



✓



9

Pseudorca crassidens



✓

✓





✓

✓

✓



✓



✓

✓







8

Stenella attenuata

✓



✓

✓

✓

✓

✓





✓



✓

✓







9

Stenella coeruloealba

✓



✓

✓



✓



✓









✓

✓





7

Stenella longirostris

✓

✓

✓

✓

✓

✓

✓

✓

✓

✓

✓

✓

✓

✓



✓

15

Stenella sp





✓



























1

Steno bredanensis

✓

✓

✓

✓

✓





✓





✓











7

Tursiops aduncus

✓

✓

✓

✓

✓

✓

✓



✓









✓





9

Tursiop sp











✓



✓



✓













3

Tursiops truncatus unidentified beaked whale Ziphius cavirostris

✓

✓



✓

✓

✓

✓

✓



✓

✓







✓



10

























✓







1

✓

✓









✓





✓





✓







5

unknown

✓

✓



✓



✓

✓

✓

✓



✓

✓

✓

✓





11

Total with undetermined ID

18

17

19

17

12

19

14

16

8

12

9

13

15

9

5

3

16

16

17

15

12

17

13

14

7

11

8

11

13

8

5

3

Total (with confirmed species ID)

21

The Philippine marine mammal strandings from 2005 to 2016

Spinner dolphin Fraser's dolphin Risso's dolphin Melon-headed whale Pantropical spotted dolphin Dwarf sperm whale Dugong Pygmy sperm whale Short-finned pilot whale Sperm whale Common bottlenose dolphin Rough-toothed dolphin Unidentified dolphin Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphin Striped dolphin

Blainville's beaked whale False killer whale Pygmy killer whale Cuvier's beaked whale Bryde's whale Humpback whale Omura's whale unidentified bottlenose dolphin unidentified mesoplodont Irrawaddy dolphin unidentified odontocete Gingko-toothed beaked whale Longman's beaked whale

Fin whale Deranayigala's beaked whale unidentified beaked whale unidentified cetacean

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

Figure 6. Most frequent to least frequent species that stranded from 2005 to 2016. 22

The Philippine marine mammal strandings from 2005 to 2016

500

Frequency

400 300 200 100 0 Adult

subadult

calf

mixed

Mother & calf

unknown

Age class

Figure 7. Frequency of stranding events (n=713) by age class.

Region I The Ilocos Region had the highest number of recorded stranded marine mammals in five (5) consecutive years from 2011 to 2015 among the regions (see Table 2). It had the second highest number of stranding events in 2016 next to the Bicol Region. The region had an average of 13 strandings per year. All four (4) provinces of Region I were included in the top 20 provinces. It is the hottest hotspot for strandings nationwide. Pangasinan has the highest frequency of recorded stranding for all provinces nationwide (n=63), while Ilocos Norte has had the second highest (n=52) (see Fig 5). The LGUs of Pagudpod (n=14), Badoc (n=13) in Ilocos Norte and Alaminos City (n=14) in Pangasinan recorded noteworthy frequencies for Region I (see Appendix 3). The highest number of strandings was recorded in 2015 with Pangasinan having the most number (n=29) while Ilocos Sur the least (n=4) (Fig 8). The distribution of strandings in Region I across the years is shown in Figure 9a. The coverage of strandings for 2015 and 2016 are shown in Figures 9b and 9c, respectively. The density of stranding in different hotspots such as in Ilocos Region is shown in Figure 9d.

23

The Philippine marine mammal strandings from 2005 to 2016 50 45 40

Frequency

35 30 1 - Pangasinan

25

1 - La Union

20

1 - Ilocos Sur

15

1 - Ilocos Norte

10 5 0 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016

Year

Figure 8. Number of stranding events from 2005 to 2016 by provinces in Region I.

24

The Philippine marine mammal strandings from 2005 to 2016

Figure 9-a. Stranding distribution in Region I from 2005 to 2016. 25

The Philippine marine mammal strandings from 2005 to 2016

Figure 9-b. Stranding distribution in Region I in 2015. 26

The Philippine marine mammal strandings from 2005 to 2016

Figure 9-c. Stranding distribution in Region I in 2016. 27

The Philippine marine mammal strandings from 2005 to 2016

Figure 9-d. Stranding density along the coasts of Region I from 2005 to 2016.

In terms of trends in seasonality, more stranding events were recorded in the region during the Northeast monsoon (n=68) (see Fig 2) and peaked during the month of January (n=30) (Fig 10). This result was consistent across the four provinces (Fig. 11).

28

The Philippine marine mammal strandings from 2005 to 2016

35 30 30

Frequency

25 18

20 14

15

12

14 8

10

10

9

9

9

9

8

8

5 0

Month

Figure 10. Number of stranding events per month in Region I from 2005 to 2016.

70 60

Frequency

50 40

unknown SW

30

NE IM

20 10 0 1 Ilocos Norte

1 Ilocos Sur

1 La Union

1 Pangasinan

Provinces of Ilocos Region

Figure 11. Stranding events by season in the provinces of Region I. The Ilocos Region has a very diverse assemblage of cetacean species (n=16) based on the recorded strandings since 2005 (see Table 3). Further, Region I was the only region nationwide that recorded all the four categories of stranding events (Table 4). Table 4 shows the species and type of stranding event 29

The Philippine marine mammal strandings from 2005 to 2016 per province. The province of Ilocos Norte has recorded 15 species and one unidentified (a); Ilocos Sur has 11 (b), and La Union has 8 with 1 unidentified species (c), Pangasinan has 13 species with 1 unidentified (d). Most of the strandings in these four provinces involved single stranding events. Table 4. Stranding events by season in the provinces of Region I. a. Ilocos Norte Species Feresa attenuata

-

Out of habitat -

Globicephala macrorhynchus Grampus griseus

-

1 (6)

3

-

4 (3)*

-

-

5

-

5 (5)

Kogia breviceps

-

-

2

-

2 (2)

Kogia sima

-

-

5

-

5 (5)

Lagenodelphis hosei

-

-

3

-

3 (3)

Megaptera novaeangliae

-

-

1

-

1 (1)

Peponocephala electra

-

1

1

-

2 (1)*

Physeter macrocephalus

-

-

1

-

1 (1)

Stenella attenuata

-

-

4

-

4 (4)

Stenella coeruloealba

-

-

1

-

1 (1)

Stenella longirostris

1 (2)

-

9

-

10 (11)

Steno bredanensis

-

-

4

-

4 (4)

Tursiops aduncus

-

-

2

-

2 (2)

Tursiops truncatus

-

-

1

-

1 (1)

Unknown

-

-

5

-

5 (5)

Total

b. Ilocos Sur Species Globicephala macrorhynchus Grampus griseus Kogia sima Stenella attenuata Stenella coeruleoalba Stenella longirostris Steno bredanensis

Mass

1 (2)

2 (7)

Mass

Single

UME

Total

2

-

2 (2)

49 (49)

-

52 (51)*

Single

UME

Total

-

Out of habitat -

1

-

1 (1)

-

-

1 1 1 2 6 3

-

1 (1) 1 (1) 1 (1) 2 (2) 6 (6) 3 (3) 30

The Philippine marine mammal strandings from 2005 to 2016 b. Ilocos Sur Species

Mass

Tursiops aduncus Tursiops truncatus Ziphius cavirostris Unknown Total

1 (2) 1 (2)

Out of habitat 1 (12) 1 (12)

Single

UME

Total

2 1 2 20

-

2 (2) 1 (2) 1 (1) 3 (2)* 22 (22)*

Single

UME

Total

-

Out of habitat -

1

-

1 (1)

-

-

4 2 1 2 2 2 2 16

5 (6) 5 (6)

4 (4) 2 (2) 5 (6) 1 (1) 2 (2) 2 (2) 2 (2) 2 (2) 21 (22)

c. La Union Species

Mass

Globicephala macrorhynchus Kogia breviceps Kogia sima Lagenodelphis hosei Physeter macrocephalus Stenella attenuata Stenella longirostris Steno bredanensis Unknown Total

d. Pangasinan Species

Mass

Out of habitat -

Single

UME

Total

-

-

1 (12)

Feresa attenuata

1 (12)

Globicephala macrorhynchus Grampus griseus

-

-

4

-

4 (4)

-

-

3

-

3 (3)

Kogia sima

-

-

1

-

1 (1)

1 (2)

-

1

24 (25)

26 (28)

Mesoplodon sp

-

-

1

-

1 (1)

Peponocephala electra

-

-

1

-

1 (1)

Physeter macrocephalus

-

-

1

-

1 (1)

Stenella attenuata

-

-

9 (10)

-

9 (10)

Stenella coeruleoalba

-

-

1

-

1 (1)

Lagenodelphis hosei

31

The Philippine marine mammal strandings from 2005 to 2016 d. Pangasinan Species

Mass

Stenella longirostris

-

Out of habitat -

Steno bredanensis

-

-

5

-

5 (5)

Tursiops truncatus

-

1 (15)

3

-

4 (3)*

Unknown

-

-

2

-

2 (2)

2 (14)

1 (15)

36 (37)

24 (25)

63 (76)*

Total

Single

UME

Total

4

-

4 (4)

Region II The Cagayan Valley Region recorded the fifth highest number of strandings nationwide (see Table 2). The annual average frequency of recorded stranding events in Region II was five (5). The province of Cagayan recorded the third highest number of stranding events (n=40) in the entire nation (see Fig 5). Across the years, the region recorded the highest number of strandings in 2013 when all stranding events occurred in Cagayan province (Fig 12). The municipality of Sta Ana, Cagayan (n=15) was the most noteworthy in Region II (see Appendix 3). Distribution of stranding in Region II through the years is shown in Figure 13a and the coverage of recorded strandings in 2015 and 2016 is shown in Figures 13b and 13c, respectively. A map of density of stranding events along the region is also shown in Figure 13d.

10 9 8

Frequency

7 6 5

2 - Isabela

4

2 - Cagayan

3

2 - Batanes

2 1 0 2005 2006 2007 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016

Year

Figure 12. Number of stranding events from 2005 to 2016 by provinces in Region II.

32

The Philippine marine mammal strandings from 2005 to 2016

Figure 13-a. Stranding distribution in Region II from 2005 to 2016. 33

The Philippine marine mammal strandings from 2005 to 2016

Figure 13-b. Stranding distribution in Region II in 2015. 34

The Philippine marine mammal strandings from 2005 to 2016

Figure 13-c. Stranding distribution in Region II in 2016. 35

The Philippine marine mammal strandings from 2005 to 2016

Figure 13-d. Density of stranding along the coasts of Region II from 2005 to 2016. 36

The Philippine marine mammal strandings from 2005 to 2016

In terms of seasonality, stranding occurrence in this region was greater during the Southwest monsoon than any other seasons (n=19) from 2005 to 2016 (see Fig 4). The month of July had the highest number of stranding events recorded (n=8), followed by April (n=7) and May (n=5) (Fig 14). Most strandings in Cagayan occurred in SW monsoon and IM (Fig 15).

10 9

8

8

7

Frequency

7

6

6

5

5

4

4

4

3

3

2

3

2

2

2

2 1 0

Month

Figure 14. Number of stranding events per month in Region II from 2005 to 2016.

45 40

Frequency

35 30 25 20

SW

15

NE

10

IM

5 0 Batanes

Cagayan

Isabela

2

Provinces of Cagayan Valley

Figure 15. Stranding events by season in the provinces of Region II. 37

The Philippine marine mammal strandings from 2005 to 2016

In terms of species diversity, the region has a total of sixteen (n=16) species (see Table 3) and were mostly single stranding events (Table 5). To date, Cagayan province had recorded 15 species, with 1 unidentified; Isabela had 4, while Batanes had only 2.

Table 5. Stranding events by season in the provinces of Region II. a. Batanes Species Grampus griseus Mesoplodon densirostris Total

Mass -

Out of habitat 1 1

Single

UME

Total

1 2 3

-

1 (1) 3 (2)* 4 (3)*

Out of habitat 1 (100) 1 (100)

Single

UME

Total

3 1 3 4 3 3 2 1 2 2 2 2 2 2 1 33

-

5 (17) 1 (1) 3 (3) 4 (4) 3 (3) 3 (3) 2 (2) 1 (1) 2 (2) 2 (2) 2 (2) 4 (14) 1 (3) 3 (6) 2 (2) 2 (1)* 40 (66)*

Out of habitat -

Single

UME

Total

1

-

1 (1)

b. Cagayan Species Feresa attenuata Globicephala macrorhynchus Grampus griseus Kogia breviceps Kogia sima Lagenodelphis hosei Megaptera novaeangliae Peponocephala electra Physeter macrocephalus Pseudorca crassidens Stenella longirostris Steno bredanensis Tursiops aduncus Tursiops truncatus Ziphius cavirostris Unknown Total

Mass 2 (14) 2 (12) 1 (3) 1 (4) 6 (33)

c. Isabela Species

Mass

Megaptera novaeangliae

-

38

The Philippine marine mammal strandings from 2005 to 2016 c. Isabela Species

Mass

Mesoplodon densirostris Physeter macrocephalus Ziphius cavirostris Total

1 (2) 1 (2)

Out of habitat -

Single

UME

Total

1 1 3

-

1 (1) 1 (2) 1 (1) 4 (5)

Region III The Central Luzon Region recorded the fourth highest number of strandings (see Table 2). The annual average frequency of recorded stranding events was five (5). The province of Zambales is the sixth in terms of the number of stranding occurrence nationwide (n=29) while Bataan is the eighteenth (n=13) (see Fig 5). The LGU of Subic (n=8) in Zambales recorded the highest number of strandings in the entire Region III (see Appendix 3). The highest number of stranding events in Central Luzon Region was recorded in 2010 (n=11) (Fig 16). Eighty-three percent (44 of 53) of the strandings involved live animals. The distribution of stranding events in Region 3 since 2005 is shown in Figure 17a. The area where marine mammals have stranded in 2015 and 2016 is shown in Figures 17b and 17c, respectively. The density of stranding events recorded in Region 3 is shown in Figure 17d. 12

Frequency

10 8

3 - Zambales 3 - Pampanga

6

3 - Bulacan

4

3 - Bataan

2

3 - Aurora

0 2005

2006

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

2016

Year

Figure 16. Number of stranding events from 2005 to 2016 in the provinces of Region III.

39

The Philippine marine mammal strandings from 2005 to 2016

Figure 17-a. Stranding distribution in Region III from 2005 to 2016. 40

The Philippine marine mammal strandings from 2005 to 2016

Figure 17-b. Stranding distribution in Region III in 2015. 41

The Philippine marine mammal strandings from 2005 to 2016

Figure 17-c. Stranding distribution in Region III in 2016. 42

The Philippine marine mammal strandings from 2005 to 2016

Figure 17-d. Density of stranding along the coasts of Region III from 2005 to 2016.

In terms of seasonality, recorded stranding events occurred mostly during Northeast monsoon (n=20) and Intermonsoon (n=20) as shown in Fig 4. Trend showed that stranding events peaked during the month of April (n=10) (Fig 18).

43

The Philippine marine mammal strandings from 2005 to 2016 12 10

Frequency

10 8

7

7

6

5

5

4 4

3

3

3

3

2 2

1

0

Month

Figure 18. Number of stranding events per month in Region III from 2005 to 2016.

The Central Luzon Region recorded a diverse assemblage of cetaceans as shown in Table 3. A total of 17 species have been documented since 2005. As of 2016, 15 species have been recorded in Zambales, 5 in Bataan, 6 in Aurora, 4 species in Bulacan, and only 1 species in Pampanga. The strandings in the region was predominantly single stranders (Table 6). Table 6. Stranding frequency of species that stranded in Region III. a. Aurora Species

Mass

Balaenoptera omurai Balaenoptera sp Dugong dugon Megaptera novaeangliae Stenella longirostris Stenella sp Total

-

Out of habitat -

Single

UME

Total

1 1 1 1 1 1 6

-

1 (1) 1 (1) 1 (1) 1 (1) 1 (1) 1 (1) 6 (6)

44

The Philippine marine mammal strandings from 2005 to 2016 b. Bataan Species Globicephala macrorhynchus Peponocephala electra Stenella longirostris Steno bredanensis Tursiops aduncus Total

Mass 1 (3) 1 (3)

Out of habitat 1 (250) 1 (250)

Single

UME

Total

1 6 1 1 2 11

-

1 (1) 8 (9)* 1 (1) 1 (1) 2 (2) 13 (14)*

Out of habitat -

Single

UME

Total

1 1 1 3

-

1 (1) 1 (1) 1 (1) 1 (3) 4 (6)

Out of habitat -

Single

UME

Total

1 1

-

1 (1) 1 (1)

Out of habitat -

Single

UME

Total

2 1 2 2 1 3 2 1 1 1 2 2

-

2 (2) 1 (1) 2 (2) 2 (2) 1 (1) 3 (3) 2 (2) 1 (1) 1 (1) 1 (1) 2 (2) 2 (2)

c. Bulacan Species Feresa attenuata Grampus griseus Kogia breviceps Peponocephala electra Total

d. Pampangga Species Stenella attenuata Total

Mass 1 (3) 1 (3)

Mass -

e. Zambales Species Balaenoptera omurai Feresa attenuata Globicephala macrorhynchus Kogia breviceps Kogia sima Lagenodelphis hosei Megaptera novaeangliae Mesoplodon gingkodens Peponocephala electra Pseudorca crassidens Stenella attenuata Stenella coeruleoalba

Mass -

45

The Philippine marine mammal strandings from 2005 to 2016 Stenella longirostris Steno bredanensis Tursiops aduncus Total

-

1 1

4 3 1 28

-

5 (4)* 3 (3) 1(1) 29(28)*

Region IV-A The CALABARZON Region was the ninth among the regions in terms of frequency of stranding events nationwide (see Table 2). It has an annual average stranding frequency of four (4). The provinces of Quezon and Batangas were part of the top 20 hottest provinces nationwide. Quezon province was the eighth province (n=26) while Batangas was the nineteenth (n=12) among the 20 provincial hotspots (see Fig 5). A high frequency of stranding events was recorded in 2015 (n=10) (Fig 19). Distribution of stranding across all years based on the records is shown in Figure 20a. For 2015 and 2016, the distribution of stranding events was presented in Figures 20b and 20c, respectively. 12

Frequency

10 8 4A - Quezon

6

4A - Cavite

4

4A - Batangas

2 0 2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

2014

2015

2016

Year

Figure 19. Number of stranding events from 2005 to 2016 in Region IV-A by province.

46

The Philippine marine mammal strandings from 2005 to 2016

Figure 20-a. Stranding distribution in Region IV-A from 2005 to 2016.

47

The Philippine marine mammal strandings from 2005 to 2016

Figure 20-b. Stranding distribution in Region IV-A in 2015.

48

The Philippine marine mammal strandings from 2005 to 2016

Figure 20-c. Stranding distribution in Region IV-A in 2016. 49

The Philippine marine mammal strandings from 2005 to 2016

Stranding in CALABARZON occurred more frequently during the Intermonsoon (lull) (n=17) followed by the Northeast monsoon (n=16) (see Fig 4). Further, the stranding frequency peaked during April (n=9) (Fig 21). The province of Quezon recorded mostly its strandings during the Intermonsoon (Fig 22).

Number of Stranding Events

10

9

9 8 7 6 5

5

5

4

4

4

3

3

3

2

2

1

1

1

1

1

1 0

Month

Figure 21. Stranding distribution in Region IV-A from 2005 to 2016.

Number of Stranding Events

30 25 20 unknown

15

SW 10

NE IM

5 0 Batangas

Cavite

Quezon

4A

Provinces of CALABARZON

Figure 22. Stranding events by season in the provinces of Region IV-A. 50

The Philippine marine mammal strandings from 2005 to 2016

A good number of marine mammal species (n=15) have been documented from strandings in Region IV-A (see Table 3). The variety of stranded species recorded by province in the Region is shown in Table 7. Most of these strandings recorded were single stranders. In Quezon Province, 15 species were recorded, while in Batangas 8, and in Cavite 2. The Bryde’s whale (Balaenoptera edeni) have been recorded to have stranded in Batangas at least 4 times. Also, note that the second record for Longman’s Beaked whale (Indopacetus pacificus) stranded in General Nakar, Quezon in February 2016. Table 7. Stranding frequency of species that stranded in Region IV-A a. Batangas Species Balaenoptera edeni Grampus griseus Kogia sima Lagenodelphis hosei Peponocephala electra Stenella longirostris Steno bredanensis Tursiops truncatus Total

Mass -

Out of habitat -

1 (6) 1 (6)

Single

UME

Total

4 1 1 1 1 2 1 11

-

4 (4) 1 (1) 1 (1) 1 (1) 1 (1) 2 (2) 1 (1) 1 (0) 12 (11)

-

b. Cavite Species Kogia breviceps Stenella longirostris Total

Mass

Out of habitat

Single

UME

Total

-

-

1 1 2

-

1 (1) 1 (1) 2 (2)

Mass

Out of habitat

Single

UME

Total

-

-

1 2 1 1 1 1 1

-

1 (1) 2 (2) 1 (1) 1 (1) 1 (1) 1 (1) 1 (1)

-

c. Quezon Species Dugong dugon Grampus griseus Indopacetus pacificus Kogia breviceps Kogia sima Lagenodelphis hosei Mesoplodon sp

-

-

51

The Philippine marine mammal strandings from 2005 to 2016 c. Quezon Species Peponocephala electra Physeter macrocephalus Stenella attenuata Stenella coeruleoalba Stenella longirostris Steno bredanensis Tursiops aduncus Tursiops truncatus Unknown Total

Mass

Out of habitat

Single

UME

Total

1 (2) 1 (2) 2 (4)

-

2 (3) 1 2 1 4 1 1 1 2 23 (24)

-

2 (3) 1 (1) 2 (2) 1 (1) 5 (6) 2 (3) 1 (1) 1 (1) 3 (2)* 26 (28)*

-

-

1 (2) 1 (2)

Region IV-B Region IV-B (MIMAROPA) is the tenth among the regions in terms of recorded stranding frequency (see Table 2). It has an annual average stranding frequency of four (4). The province of Romblon has the highest number of stranding occurrence within the region (n=11) with 5 species recorded to strand (Table 8). Romblon is one of twentieth hottest provinces nationwide (see Fig 5). The province of Palawan recorded the second highest number of stranding frequency within the region (n=9) (see Fig 5), similarly with 5 species involved (Table 8). The provinces of Oriental and Occidental Mindoro had the least number of recorded stranding events in the Region (n=6 and n=3) (see Fig 5). The recorded number of species involved in these two provinces were 6 and 2, respectively (Table 8). Most of the stranding events in Region IV-B involved single stranders (Table 8). A list of species involved to strand in Region IV-B are shown in Table 3. To date, 12 species have been recorded in this region. Table 8. Stranding frequency of species that stranded in Region IV-B. a. Occidental Mindoro Species Globicephala macrorhynchus Kogia breviceps Total b. Oriental Mindoro Species

Mass

Out of habitat

Single

UME

Total

-

-

2 1 3 (3)

-

2 (2) 1 (1) 3 (3)

Mass

Out of habitat

Single

UME

Total

-

52

The Philippine marine mammal strandings from 2005 to 2016 Grampus griseus Kogia sima Lagenodelphis hosei Stenella longirostris Tursiops truncatus Total

-

-

2 1 1 1 1 6 (6)

-

2 (2) 1 (1) 1 (1) 1 (1) 1 (1) 6 (6)

Mass

Out of habitat

Single

UME

Total

-

-

-

1 (8) 1 (8)

-

5 1 1 1 1 1 10 (10)

-

5 (5) 1 (1) 1 (1) 1 (1) 1 (1) 2 (9) 11 (18)

Mass

Out of habitat

Single

UME

Total

-

-

1 2 1 5 1 10

-

1 (1) 3 (2)* 2 (1) 5 (5) 1 (1) 12 (10)*

-

c. Palawan Species Dugong dugon Globicephala macrorhynchus Kogia breviceps Kogia sima Stenella attenuata Tursiops aduncus Total

-

-

-

d. Romblon Species Kogia sima Peponocephala electra Stenella attenuata Stenella longirostris Steno bredanensis Total

1 (100) 1 (100) -

2 (200)

-

-

The highest stranding frequency for Region IV-B was recorded in 2011 (n=8) (Fig 23). The distribution of stranding events across the years in MIMAROPA is shown in Figure 24a. A spatial distribution of strandings that have occurred during the most recent years (2015 and 2016) are shown in Figure 24b and 24c, respectively. The trend showed that the recorded stranding events in Region IV-B was highest during the Northeast monsoon (n=13) (see Fig 4). However, it peaked on May (n=6) (Fig 25). The seasonality of the stranding events in this Region was mainly driven by the province of Romblon (Fig 26).

53

The Philippine marine mammal strandings from 2005 to 2016 10 9 8

Frequency

7 6

4B - Romblon

5

4B - Palawan

4

4B - Oriental Mindoro

3

4B - Occidental Mindoro

2 1 0 2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

2016

Year

Figure 23. Number of stranding events from 2005 to 2016 in Region IV-B by province.

54

The Philippine marine mammal strandings from 2005 to 2016

Figure 24-a. Stranding distribution in Region IV-B from 2005-2016. 55

The Philippine marine mammal strandings from 2005 to 2016

Figure 24-b. Stranding distribution in Region IV-B in 2015. 56

The Philippine marine mammal strandings from 2005 to 2016

Figure 24-c. Stranding distribution in Region IV-B in 2016. 57

The Philippine marine mammal strandings from 2005 to 2016

7 6 6 5

5

Frequency

5 4 4 3 3 2

2

2

2

2 1 1 0 January

March

April

May

June

August September October November December

Month

Figure 25. Number of stranding events per month in Region IV-B from 2005 to 2016.

14 12

Frequency

10 8 SW

6

NE 4

IM

2 0 Occidental Mindoro Oriental Mindoro

Palawan

Romblon

4B

Provinces of MIMAROPA

Figure 26. Stranding events by season in the provinces of Region IV-B.

58

The Philippine marine mammal strandings from 2005 to 2016

Region V The Bicol Region is considered the second hottest (hotspot) region nationwide (see Table 2). It has an annual average stranding occurrence of eight (8). Three (3) provinces of Bicol Region were part of the top 20 hottest provinces nationwide with Sorsogon as the fifth (n=30), Camarines Sur the twelfth (n=21) and Albay the fourteenth (n=20) (see Fig 5). The municipality of Barcelona, Sorsogon recorded the highest number of stranding events (n=7) in the entire Region V (see Appendix 3). Region V had the highest recorded stranding frequency for 2016 (n=16) (see Fig 27). In terms of distribution, the spread of recorded stranding events in Region V from 2005 to 2016 are shown in Figure 28a. The stranding distribution for the two most recent years (2015 and 2016) is shown in Figures 28b and 28c, respectively. The stranding density (number of stranding events per km2) in the region is shown in Figure 28d. Stranding events recorded in Bicol Region occurred predominantly during the Northeast monsoon (n=36) (see Fig 2). However, the peak was on the month of April (n=17) (see Fig 29). The province of Sorsogon was the main source of the strandings recorded during the NE monsoon (Fig 30). 20 18 16

Frequency

14

5 - Sorsogon

12

5 - Masbate

10

5 - Catanduanes

8

5 - Camarines Sur

6

5 - Camarines Norte

4

5 - Albay

2 0 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016

Year

Figure 27. Number of stranding events from 2005 to 2016 in the provinces of Region V.

59

The Philippine marine mammal strandings from 2005 to 2016

Figure 28-a. Stranding distribution in Region V from 2005 to 2016. 60

The Philippine marine mammal strandings from 2005 to 2016

Figure 28-b. Stranding distribution in Region V in 2015. 61

The Philippine marine mammal strandings from 2005 to 2016

Figure 28-c. Stranding distribution in Region V in 2016. 62

The Philippine marine mammal strandings from 2005 to 2016

Figure 28-d. Stranding density along the coasts of Region V from 2005 to 2016.

63

Frequency

The Philippine marine mammal strandings from 2005 to 2016 20 18 16 14 12 10 8 6 4 2 0

17

11 9

8

7

6

8

8

8

6 2

2

Month

Figure 29. Number of stranding events per month in Region V from 2005 to 2016.

35 30

Frequency

25 20 15

SW NE

10

IM 5 0 Albay

Camarines Norte

Camarines Catanduanes Sur

Masbate

Sorsogon

5

Provinces of Bicol Region

Figure 30. Stranding events by season in the provinces of Region V. The species listing of marine mammals recorded to strand in Region V are summarized in Table 3. The Bicol Region is tied with Region III as having the highest number of species (n=17) recorded from stranding events. Stranded species per stranding categories are shown in Table 9. To date, 12 with 1 unidentified species have been recorded to strand in Sorsogon; Albay has 8 species, Camarines Norte has

64

The Philippine marine mammal strandings from 2005 to 2016 4 species with one unidentified; Camarines Sur has 11 species having one unidentified; Masbate with 5 and one unidentified and Catanduanes with only 3 species. Table 9. Stranding frequency of species that stranded in Region V. a. Albay Species Grampus griseus Kogia sima Peponocephala electra Physeter macrocephalus Stenella attenuata Stenella longirostris Tursiops aduncus Tursiops sp Total

b. Camarines Norte Species Dugong dugon Kogia sima Lagenodelphis hosei Tursiops truncatus Unknown Total

c. Camarines Sur Species Balaenoptera edeni Grampus griseus Kogia breviceps Kogia sima Lagenodelphis hosei Peponocephala electra Physeter macrocephalus Stenella attenuata Stenella coeruleoalba Stenella longirostris

Mass

Out of habitat -

Single

UME

Total

6 1 1 1 2 7 1 1 20

-

6 (6) 1 (1) 1 (1) 1 (1) 2 (2) 7 (7) 1 (1) 1 (1) 20 (20)

Out of habitat -

Single

UME

Total

1 (2) 1 (2) 1 1 2 6 (8)

-

1 (2) 1 (2) 1 (1) 1 (1) 2 (2) 6 (8)

Single

UME

Total

1 (2) -

Out of habitat 1 -

-

1 (6) -

-

2 (2) 2 (2) 1 1 1 1 1 1 (2) 3

2 (2) 3 (4) 1 (1) 1 (1) 1 (1) 1 (1)* 1 (1) 1 (1) 2 (8) 3 (3)

-

Mass -

Mass

-

65

The Philippine marine mammal strandings from 2005 to 2016 c. Camarines Sur Species Tursiops truncatus Unknown Total

d. Catanduanes Species Physeter macrocephalus Pseudorca crassidens Stenella longirostris Total

Mass 2 (8)

Mass -

Out of habitat 1

Single

UME

Total

3 2 18 (19)

-

3 (3) 2 (2) 21 (27)*

Out of habitat -

Single

UME

Total

2 1 2 5

-

2 (2) 1 (1) 2 (2) 5 (5)

Out of habitat -

Single

UME

Total

1 1 5 1 1 9

-

1 (4) 1 (1) 1 (1) 5 (5) 1 (1) 1 (1) 10 (13)

Out of habitat -

Single

UME

Total

1 1 3 1 1 3 1 2 (3) 1 3 2

-

1 (1) 1 (1) 3 (3) 1 (1) 2 (6) 3 (3) 1 (1) 2 (3) 1 (1) 3 (3) 3 (7)

e. Masbate Species Feresa attenuata Grampus griseus Stenella attenuata Stenella longirostris Tursiops sp Unknown Total

Mass 1 (4) 1 (4)

f. Sorsogon Species Balaenoptera edeni Balaenoptera physalus Grampus griseus Mesoplodon sp Peponocephala electra Physeter macrocephalus Pseudorca crassidens Stenella coeruleoalba Stenella attenuata Stenella longirostris Tursiops aduncus

Mass 1 (5) 1 (5)

66

The Philippine marine mammal strandings from 2005 to 2016 f. Sorsogon Species Tursiops sp Tursiops truncatus Unknown Total

Mass 2 (10)

Out of habitat -

Single

UME

Total

2 2 5 28 (29)

-

2 (2) 2 (2) 5 (5) 30 (39)

Region VI The Western Visayas Region is considered the sixth hotspot in terms of frequency of stranding recorded (see Table 2). The Region has an annual average stranding frequency of four (4). The highest stranding frequency in the area was recorded in 2016 (n=7) (Fig 31). The province of Iloilo was the only province in Western Visayas included in the top 20 hotspot provinces nationwide (the ninth hottest, n=23) (see Fig 5). The spatial distribution of stranding events recorded in Region 6 is shown in Figure 32a. The coverage of stranding in the two most recent years (2015 and 2016) is shown in Figures 32b and 32c, respectively. The stranding density (number of stranding events per km2) in the region is shown in Figure 32d. In addition, stranding events occurred frequently during the Southwest monsoon (n=25) (see Fig 4), and peaked on the month of July (n=8) (see Fig 33). The stranding events recorded in the provinces of Region VI per season is shown in Figure 34. 8 7

Frequency

6 6 - Negros Occidental

5

6 - Iloilo

4

6 - Guimaras

3

6 - Capiz

2

6 - Antique

1

6 - Aklan

0 2005 2006 2007 2008 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016

Year

Figure 31. Number of stranding events from 2005 to 2016 in the provinces of Region VI. 67

The Philippine marine mammal strandings from 2005 to 2016

Figure 32-a. Stranding distribution in Region VI from 2005 to 2016.

68

The Philippine marine mammal strandings from 2005 to 2016

Figure 32-b. Stranding distribution in Region VI in 2015. 69

The Philippine marine mammal strandings from 2005 to 2016

Figure 32-c. Stranding distribution in Region VI in 2016. 70

The Philippine marine mammal strandings from 2005 to 2016

Figure 32-d. Stranding density along the coasts of Region VI from 2005 to 2016.

71

Frequency

The Philippine marine mammal strandings from 2005 to 2016

10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0

8 7 6 5

5 4

4 3

2

2 1

Month

Figure 33. Number of stranding events per month in Region VI from 2005 to 2016. 25

Frequency

20

15 SW

10

NE IM

5

0 Aklan

Antique

Capiz

Guimaras

Iloilo

Negros Occidental

6

Provinces of Western Visayas

Figure 34. Stranding events by season in the provinces of Region VI. In terms of species assemblage, 13 species have been documented to strand in Region VI as shown in Table 3. The stranding category by province and the species involved is shown in Table 10. The province of Iloilo has a record of 9 species with one unidentified. Other provinces in Region VI such as Aklan has

72

The Philippine marine mammal strandings from 2005 to 2016 recorded 5 species, Negros Occidental has 7, Guimaras and Antique has 3 species each, while Capiz has only one. Note that the dugong was recorded in almost all provinces (except Cadiz, see Table 10). Table 10. Stranding frequency of species that stranded in Region VI. a. Aklan Species Dugong dugon Globicephala macrorhynchus Grampus griseus Stenella attenuata Stenella longirostris Total

Mass -

Out of habitat -

Single

UME

Total

1 1 1 1 1 5

-

1 (1) 1 (1) 1 (1) 1 (1) 1 (1) 5 (5)

Out of habitat -

Single

UME

Total

1 1 2

-

1 (1) 1 (1) 1 (2) 3 (4)

Out of habitat -

Single

UME

Total

2 2

-

2 (2) 2 (2)

Out of habitat -

Single

UME

Total

4 1 1 6

-

4 (4) 1(1) 1 (1) 6 (6)

b. Antique Species Dugong dugon Stenella longirostris Ziphius cavirostris Total

Mass 1 (2) 1 (2)

c. Capiz Species Stenella longirostris Total

Mass -

d. Guimaras Species Dugong dugon Globicephala macrorhynchus Grampus griseus Total

Mass -

e. Iloilo

73

The Philippine marine mammal strandings from 2005 to 2016 Species Dugong dugon Grampus griseus Kogia sima Lagenodelphis hosei Orcaella brevirostris Pseudorca crassidens Stenella longirostris Tursiops aduncus Tursiops truncatus Unknown Total

f. Negros Occidental Species Dugong dugon Grampus griseus Kogia breviceps Kogia sima Orcaella brevirostris Stenella attenuata Tursiops aduncus Total

Mass

Out of habitat

Single

UME

Total

-

-

6 2 1 4 1 2 4 1 1 1 23

-

6 (6) 2 (2) 1 (1) 4 (4) 1 (1) 2 (2) 4 (4) 1 (1) 1 (1) 1 (1) 23 (23)

Mass

Out of habitat

Single

UME

Total

-

-

1 (15) 1 (15)

-

1 1 1 1 2

-

-

-

1 7

-

1 (1) 1 (1) 1 (1) 1 (1) 2 (2) 1 (15) 1 (1) 8 (22)

-

-

-

Region VII The Central Visayas Region is the third hotspot region nationwide from 2005 to 2016 (see Table 2), with an annual average stranding frequency of six (6). The frequency of stranding occurrences was highest in 2014 (n=11) (Fig 35). Three (3) provinces in Region VII were part of the 20 hotspots nationwide: Negros Oriental (7th, n=27), Cebu (15th, n=19) and Bohol (17th, n=14) (see Fig 5). The city of Lapu-Lapu in Cebu recorded the highest number of strandings in the entire Region (see Appendix 3). The spatial distribution of stranded marine mammals in Region VII is shown in Figure 36a. The stranding maps for 2015 and 2016 is shown in Figures 36b and 36c, respectively. A map of the density of marine mammal strandings along Region VII is shown in Figure 36d. Interestingly, the number of stranding occurrences recorded during the Northeast and Southwest monsoons were identical (n=26) (see Fig 4). 74

The Philippine marine mammal strandings from 2005 to 2016 The strandings peaked in the month of July (n=9) (Fig 37). Most of the stranding events recorded in the region for both the NE and SW monsoons were from Negros Oriental (Fig 38).

16 14

Frequency

12 10 7 - Siquijor

8

7 - Negros Oriental

6

7 - Cebu

4

7 - Bohol

2 0 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016

Year

Figure 35. Number of stranding events from 2005 to 2016 in the provinces of Region VII.

75

The Philippine marine mammal strandings from 2005 to 2016

Figure 36-a. Stranding distribution in Region VII from 2005 to 2016.

76

The Philippine marine mammal strandings from 2005 to 2016

Figure 36-b. Stranding distribution in Region VII in 2015. 77

The Philippine marine mammal strandings from 2005 to 2016

Figure 36-c. Stranding distribution in Region VII in 2016. 78

The Philippine marine mammal strandings from 2005 to 2016

Figure 36-d. Stranding density along the coasts of Region VII from 2005 to 2016.

79

The Philippine marine mammal strandings from 2005 to 2016 10

9

9

8

8

Frequency

7

6

6

6

6

6

5

5

5

4

4

4

4

3

3

2

2 1 0

Month

Figure 37. Number of stranding events per month in Region VII from 2005 to 2016.

30 25

Frequency

20 unknown

15

SW 10

NE IM

5 0 Bohol

Cebu

Negros Oriental

Siquijor

7

Provinces of Central Visayas

Figure 38. Stranding events by season in the provinces of Region VII.

The marine mammals recorded to strand in Region VII are listed in Table 3. At least 14 species have been recorded to have stranded in this region. The category of stranding events by species per 80

The Philippine marine mammal strandings from 2005 to 2016 province is shown in Table 11. Most of these strandings were mostly of single stranders. Negros Oriental has a record of 11 species with one unidentified, Cebu has 6 with one unidentified, Bohol has 7, and Siquijor documented 5 species with one unidentified. Note that a dugong was recorded in Talibon, Bohol in 2009. Table 11. Stranding frequency of species that stranded in Region VII. a. Bohol Species Dugong dugon Lagenodelphis hosei Mesoplodon densirostris Peponocephala electra Physeter macrocephalus Stenella longirostris Tursiops truncatus Total

Mass

Out of habitat

Single

UME

Total

-

-

1 2 1 4 2 2 2 14

-

1 (1) 2 (2) 1 (1) 4 (4) 2 (2) 2 (2) 2 (2) 14 (14)

Mass

Out of habitat

Single

UME

Total

-

-

1 1 1 3 10 1 2 19

-

1 (1) 1 (1) 1 (1) 3 (3) 10 (10) 1 (1) 2 (2) 19 (19)

Mass

Out of habitat

Single

UME

Total

-

-

-

1 (2) -

-

1 2 2 1 2 1

1 (1) 2 (2) 2 (2) 1 (1) 3 (4) 1 (1)

-

b. Cebu Species Kogia breviceps Lagenodelphis hosei Mesoplodon densirostris Peponocephala electra Stenella longirostris Steno bredanensis Unknown Total

c. Negros Oriental Species Balaenoptera omurai Globicephala macrorhynchus Grampus griseus Kogia breviceps Lagenodelphis hosei Mesoplodon densirostris

-

-

-

-

81

The Philippine marine mammal strandings from 2005 to 2016 c. Negros Oriental Species Peponocephala electra Physeter macrocephalus Pseudorca crassidens Stenella longirostris Tursiops sp Unknown Total

Mass

Out of habitat

Single

UME

Total

1 (2)

-

2 2 2 7 1 3 26

-

2 (2) 2 (2) 2 (2) 7 (7) 1 (1) 3 (3) 27 (28)

Mass

Out of habitat

Single

UME

Total

1 (2) 1 (2)

-

1 2 2

-

-

-

-

1

-

1 (1) 2 (2) 2 (2) 1 (2) 1 (1) 1 (1) 8 (9)

-

d. Siquijor Species Globicephala macrorhynchus Grampus griseus Lagenodelphis hosei Stenella coeruleoalba Tursiops truncatus Unknown Total

-

-

-

1 7

Region VIII Region VIII, also known as the Eastern Visayas Region was ranked 12th among the 16 regions nationwide (see Table 2). The region had an average annual stranding frequency of three (3). Four stranding events were recorded in both 2010 and 2011 (Fig 39). The provinces in this region had relatively low number of stranding occurrences with no province in the top 20 hotspot provinces. Among the provinces in the region, Leyte had the highest recorded number of stranding events (n=8) followed by Western Samar (n=6), Biliran (n=5) and Southern Leyte (n=4) (see Fig 5). The spatial distribution of stranding events across the years in Region VIII is illustrated in Figure 40a. Stranding maps for the most recent two years (2015 and 2016) along the provinces of Region VIII are shown in Figures 40b and 40c, respectively. Strandings occurred predominantly during the Northeast monsoon (n=13) (see Fig 4) mostly in the months of December and February (n=5) (Fig 41). Majority of the stranding events recorded for the 4 provinces occurred during the Northeast monsoon (Fig 42).

82

The Philippine marine mammal strandings from 2005 to 2016 6

Frequency

5 4 8 - Southern Leyte

3

8 - Samar (Western Samar) 8 - Leyte

2

8 - Biliran 1 0 2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

2014

2015

2016

Year

Figure 39. Number of stranding events from 205 to 2016 in the provinces of Region VIII.

83

The Philippine marine mammal strandings from 2005 to 2016

Figure 40-a. Stranding distribution in Region VIII from 2005 to 2016.

84

The Philippine marine mammal strandings from 2005 to 2016

Figure 40-b. Stranding distribution in Region VIII in 2015. 85

The Philippine marine mammal strandings from 2005 to 2016

Figure 40-c. Stranding distribution in Region VIII in 2016. 86

The Philippine marine mammal strandings from 2005 to 2016 6 5

5

Frequency

5 4 3 3 2

2

2

2 1

1

1

1

1 0

Month

Figure 41. Number of stranding events per month in Region VIII from 2005 to 2016.

10 9 8

Frequency

7 6 5

unknown

4

SW

3

NE

2

IM

1 0 Biliran

Leyte

Samar (Western Samar)

Southern Leyte

8

Provinces of Eastern Visayas

Figure 42. Stranding events by season for provinces of Region VIII.

Region VIII has a record of 7 marine mammal species based on strandings as shown in Table 3. The species which stranded along the provinces of Region VIII are shown in Table 12. Most of the stranding events that have been recorded were of single stranders. Stranding events that occurred in Biliran and Leyte involved 4 species while Southern Leyte and Western Samar had 2 and 5 species, respectively. 87

The Philippine marine mammal strandings from 2005 to 2016 Table 12. Stranding frequency of species that stranded in Region VIII. a. Biliran Species Grampus griseus Peponocephala electra Stenella longirostris Tursiops aduncus Total

Mass

Out of habitat

Single

UME

Total

-

-

1 1 2 1 5

-

1 (1) 1 (1) 2 (2) 1 (1) 5 (5)

Mass

Out of habitat -

Single

UME

Total

-

-

-

1 2 (3) 4 7 (8)

-

1 (2) 1 (1) 2 (3) 4 (4) 8 (10)

Single

UME

Total

1

-

-

-

1 1 1 4

-

1 (1) 1 (2) 2 (10) 1 (1) 1 (1) 6 (15)

-

b. Leyte Species Grampus griseus Kogia breviceps Kogia sima Stenella longirostris Total

c. Samar (Western Samar) Species Balaenoptera edeni Grampus griseus Peponocephala electra Stenella longirostris Tursiops aduncus Total

d. Southern Leyte Species Stenella longirostris Unknown Total

1 (2) 1 (2)

Mass 1 (2) 1 (9) 2 (11)

-

-

Out of habitat -

-

Mass

Out of habitat

Single

UME

Total

-

-

1 3 (4) 4 (5)

-

1 (1) 3 (4) 4 (5)

-

88

The Philippine marine mammal strandings from 2005 to 2016

Region IX The Zamboanga Peninsula is considered the 11th region (among 16) with the highest number of stranding events in the country (see Table 2). The average annual stranding incidence in Region IX is three (3). High stranding event was recorded in 2011 (n=5) as shown in Figure 43. Zamboanga del Sur is the only province in the region that is included in the 20 hottest provinces nationwide. It is considered the ninth province with highest stranding occurrence (n=23) (see Fig 5) involving 12 species (Table 13). Interestingly, the strandings in this province primarily occurred in Zamboanga City (22 of 23). In addition, other provinces such as Zamboanga del Norte and Zamboanga Sibugay have recorded only 1 species that has been involved to stranding event (Table 13). Most of the strandings that have occurred in Region IX are categorized as single stranding as shown in Table 13. To date, 11 species have been recorded to strand in the region (see Table 3). Eighty-four percent (21 of 25) of the stranding in this region involved live animals. 6

Frequency

5 4 9 - Zamboanga Sibugay

3

9 - Zamboanga del Sur

2

9 - Zamboanga Del Norte

1 0 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2014 2015 2016

Year

Figure 43. Number of stranding events from 2005 to 2006 in Region IX province.

Table 13. Stranding frequency of species that stranded in Region IX. a. Zamboanga del Sur Species Dugong dugon Globicephala macrorhynchus Grampus griseus Kogia sima Peponocephala electra

Mass

Out of habitat

Single

UME

Total

-

-

1 3 2 2 3

-

1 (1) 3 (3) 2 (2) 2 (2) 3 (3)

-

89

The Philippine marine mammal strandings from 2005 to 2016 a. Zamboanga del Sur Species Physeter macrocephalus Pseudorca crassidens Stenella attenuata Stenella longirostris Tursiops truncatus Tursiops sp Ziphius cavirostris Total

b. Zamboanga Del Norte Species

Mass

Out of habitat

Single

UME

Total

-

-

3 1 2 2 1 1 1 22

-

3 (3) 1 (1) 2 (2) 2 (2) 2 (1)* 1 (1) 1 (1) 23 (22)*

Out of habitat -

Single

UME

Total

-

-

-

-

1 (2) 1 (2)

Mass

-

-

1 -

1

Ziphius cavirostris Total

1 (2) 1 (2)

c. Zamboanga Sibugay Species

Mass

Out of habitat

Single

UME

Total

-

-

1 1

-

1 (1) 1 (1)

Physeter macrocephalus Total

-

A map of the distribution of marine mammal strandings along the provinces of Region IX through time is shown in Figure 44a. The coverage of strandings recorded last 2015 and 2016 is shown in Figures 44b and 44c, respectively. A map of the density of marine mammal strandings along Region IX is shown in Figure 44d. Strandings in the region peaked during the Southwest monsoon (n=11) (see Fig 4) and on the month of July (n=5) (see Fig 45). Most number of stranding occurrences by province had also been recorded during the NE and SW monsoons (see Fig 46).

90

The Philippine marine mammal strandings from 2005 to 2016

Figure 44-a. Stranding distribution in Region IX from 2005 to 2016. 91

The Philippine marine mammal strandings from 2005 to 2016

Figure 44-b. Stranding distribution in Region IX in 2015. 92

The Philippine marine mammal strandings from 2005 to 2016

Figure 44-c. Stranding distribution in Region IX in 2016. 93

The Philippine marine mammal strandings from 2005 to 2016

Figure 44-d. Stranding density along the coasts of Region IX from 2005 to 2016.

94

The Philippine marine mammal strandings from 2005 to 2016 8 7 5

5

4

4

3

3

2

2

2

2

2

1

1

2 1

1 0

Month

Figure 45. Number of stranding events per month in Region IX.

25

20

Frequency

Frequency

6

15 unknown SW

10

NE IM

5

0 Zamboanga Del Norte

Zamboanga del Sur

Zamboanga Sibugay

9

Provinces of Zamboanga Peninsula

Figure 46. Stranding events by season for the provinces of Region IX.

95

The Philippine marine mammal strandings from 2005 to 2016

Region X Northern Mindanao ranked number 13 of 16 regions in terms of stranding incidences across the nation (see Table 2). The annual average stranding frequency in Region X is three (3). Stranding frequency in the region was highest in 2011 (n=7) (Fig 47). Misamis Oriental is the only coastal province in the region included in the top 20 hotspot provinces nationwide (see Fig 5). It has 11 recorded stranding occurrences involving 7 species with one unidentified (Table 14). The provinces of Camiguin (n=6) and Lanao del Norte (n=3) had 2 and 3 stranded species recorded, respectively (Table 14). The categories of each stranding recorded in the provinces of Region X are also listed in Table 14. The general list of species stranded in the Region is shown in Table 3. To date, a total of eight (n=8) species have been recorded to strand in Region X. 10 9 8

Frequency

7 6 5

10 - Misamis Oriental

4

10 - Lanao del Norte

3

10 - Camiguin

2 1 0 2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

2014

Year

Figure 47. Number of stranding events from 2005 to 2006 in the provinces of Region X.

Table 14. Stranding frequency of species that stranded in Region X a. Camiguin Species Grampus griseus Lagenodelphis hosei Total

Mass

Out of habitat

Single

UME

Total

-

-

2 4 6

-

2 (2) 4 (4) 6 (6)

-

96

The Philippine marine mammal strandings from 2005 to 2016 b. Lanao del Norte Species Grampus griseus Lagenodelphis hosei Tursiops truncatus Total c. Misamis Oriental Species Globicephala macrorhynchus Grampus griseus Kogia sima Mesoplodon densirostris Stenella longirostris Steno bredanensis Tursiops truncatus Unknown Total

Mass

Out of habitat

Single

UME

Total

1 (2) 1 (2)

-

1 1

-

-

-

2

-

1 (1) 1 (1) 1 (2) 3 (4)

Mass

Out of habitat

Single

UME

Total

-

-

1 2 1 1 1 1 3 1 11

-

1 (1) 2 (2) 1 (1) 1 (1) 1 (1) 1 (1) 3 (3) 1 (1) 11 (11)

-

-

-

The coverage of strandings in Region X since 2005 is shown in Figure 48. High stranding occurrences was recorded during the Intermonsoon (n=12) (see Fig 4) and in the months of March, April and May (n=4) (Fig 49). The Northeast monsoon also had the highest number of stranding events recorded by province (Fig 50).

97

The Philippine marine mammal strandings from 2005 to 2016

Figure 48. Stranding distribution in Region X from 2005 to 2016. 98

The Philippine marine mammal strandings from 2005 to 2016

6 5 4

4

3

3

3 2 1

1

1 0 February

March

April

May

June

July

September

Month

Figure 49. Number of stranding events per month in Region X from 2005 to 2006. 12 10 8

Frequency

Frequency

4 4

6

SW NE

4

IM 2 0 Camiguin

Lanao del Norte

Misamis Oriental

10

Provinces of Northern Mindanao

Figure 50. Stranding events by season per province of Region X.

99

The Philippine marine mammal strandings from 2005 to 2016

Region XI Davao Region is the eighth hottest region in the country in terms of stranding frequency (see Table 2). The average annual stranding incidence in the region is five (5). High frequency of stranding in the region was recorded in 2015 (n=16) (Fig 51). Davao Oriental is considered 16th top province among the hottest 20, in terms of high stranding frequency throughout the country (n=16) (see Figure 5). The distribution of strandings recorded in Region XI since 2005 is mapped in Figure 52a. The coverage of stranding in 2015 and 2016 is shown in Figures 52b and 52c. A map of the density of marine mammal strandings along Region XI is shown in Figure 52d. The occurrence of stranding events in Region XI peaked during the Northeast monsoon (n=16) followed closely by the Intermonsoon (n=14) (see Fig 4). In terms of monthly occurrences, the recorded strandings had a bimodal mode, peaking during the months of December and March as shown in Figure 53. The main proportion of stranding frequency for all four provinces, except Davao Oriental, occurred during the Northeast monsoon. The recorded strandings in Davao Oriental happened mostly during the Intermonsoon period (Fig 54). 18 16

Frequency

14 12

11 - Davao Oriental

10

11 - Davao Occidental

8

11 - Davao del Sur

6

11 - Davao del Norte

4

11 - Compostela Valley

2 0 2005

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

2016

Year

Figure 51. Number of stranding events from 2005 to 2016 in the provinces of Region XI.

100

The Philippine marine mammal strandings from 2005 to 2016

Figure 52-a. Stranding distribution in Region XI from 2005 to 2016.

101

The Philippine marine mammal strandings from 2005 to 2016

Figure 52-b. Stranding distribution in Region XI in 2015. 102

The Philippine marine mammal strandings from 2005 to 2016

Figure 52-c. Stranding distribution in Region XI in 2016. 103

The Philippine marine mammal strandings from 2005 to 2016

Figure 52-d. Stranding density along the coasts of Region XI from 2005 to 2016.

104

The Philippine marine mammal strandings from 2005 to 2016 8

7

7

6

Frequency

6

5

5

4

4

3

3

3

3

3

3

2

2

1

1

1

1 0

Month

Figure 53. Number of stranding events per month in Region XI from 2005 to 2016.

18 16 14

Frequency

12 10 unknown

8

SW

6

NE

4

IM

2 0 Compostela Valley

Davao del Norte

Davao del Sur

Davao Occidental

Davao Oriental

11

Provinces of Davao Region

Figure 54. Stranding events by season per province of Region XI. The diversity of marine mammal assemblage in the Davao Region was noteworthy as shown in Table 3. Eleven (n=11) species were recorded to strand including some very rare beaked whales such as the Longman’s (Indopacetus pacificus) and Deranayigala’s (Mesoplodon hotaula) beaked whale (Table 15). The recorded stranding events in Davao Oriental involved 8 species and one unidentified while 8 stranded

105

The Philippine marine mammal strandings from 2005 to 2016 species with one unidentified in Davao del Sur. Other provinces such as Davao del Norte and Compostela Valley documented 3 stranded species with one unidentified. Table 15. Stranding frequency of species that stranded in Region XI. a. Compostela Valley Species Kogia breviceps Lagenodelphis hosei Mesoplodon hotaula Unknown Total b. Davao del Norte Species Dugong dugon Kogia sima Physeter macrocephalus Stenella longirostris Unknown Total c. Davao del Sur Species Globicephala macrorhynchus Kogia breviceps Kogia sima Lagenodelphis hosei Mesoplodon densirostris Physeter macrocephalus Stenella attenuata Stenella longirostris Unknown Total

Mass

Out of habitat

Single

UME

Total

-

-

2 1 1 1 (2) 5 (6)

-

2 (2) 1 (1) 1 (1) 1 (2) 5 (6)

Mass

Out of habitat

Single

UME

Total

-

-

1 1 1 2 4 9

-

1 (1) 1 (1) 1 (1) 2 (2) 4 (4) 8 (8)

Mass

Out of habitat -

Single

UME

Total

1 1 2 1 2 1 1 (2) 1 1 11 (12)

-

1 (1) 1 (1) 2 (2) 1 (1) 2 (2) 1 (1) 1 (2) 1 (1) 1 (1) 11 (12)

-

-

-

-

106

The Philippine marine mammal strandings from 2005 to 2016 d. Davao Occidental Species Dugong dugon Total e. Davao Oriental Species Dugong dugon Globicephala macrorhynchus Kogia breviceps Kogia sima Mesoplodon sp Physeter macrocephalus Pseudorca crassidens Stenella longirostris Unknown Total

Mass

Out of habitat

Single

UME

Total

-

-

1 1

-

1 (1) 1 (1)

Mass

Out of habitat

Single

UME

Total

-

-

5 1 3 1 1 2 1 1 (2) 1 16 (17)

-

5 (6) 1 (1) 3 (3) 1 (1) 1 (1) 2 (2) 1 (1) 1 (2) 1 (1) 16 (17)

-

-

Region XII SOCCSKSARGEN is the seventh region with the highest stranding frequency in the Philippines (see Table 2). Annually, the average incidence of stranding in Region XII is four (4). The frequency of stranding events in SOCCSKSARGEN was highest in year 2014 (n=7) (Fig 55). Note that the province of Sarangani is the fourth hottest province in the country (n=37) in terms of hotspot ranking (see Fig 5). There were 13 marine mammal species recorded in Sarangani with one unidentified. The province South Cotabato recorded 4 species with one unidentified (Table 16). The Table also shows the category of stranding recorded in each province of SOCCSKSARGEN. Most of the stranding events were categorized as single stranding. The general list of species involved to stranding in Region XII is shown in Table 3. There were 13 species recorded to have stranded in the area. Note though that in 2004, a calf of the killer whale (Orcinus orca) beached in Maitum, Sarangani.

107

The Philippine marine mammal strandings from 2005 to 2016 8

Stranding Events

7 6 5 4 3

12 - South Cotabato

2

12 - Sarangani

1 0

Year

Figure 55. Number of stranding events from 2005 to 2016 in the provinces of Region XII.

Table 16. Stranding frequency of species that stranded in Region XII. a. Sarangani Species Dugong dugon Globicephala macrorhynchus Kogia breviceps Kogia sima Lagenodelphis hosei Mesoplodon densirostris Peponocephala electra Physeter macrocephalus Pseudorca crassidens Stenella attenuata Stenella coeruleoalba Stenella longirostris Unidentified beaked whale Ziphius cavirostris Total b. South Cotabato Species Dugong dugon

Mass

Out of habitat

Single

UME

Total

1 (3) 1 (3)

-

4 (5) 3 3 2 2 2 5 3 1 1 2 4 1 3 36

-

4 (5) 3 (3) 3 (3) 2 (2) 2 (2) 2 (2) 5 (5) 3 (3) 1 (1) 1 (1) 3 (5) 4 (4) 1 (1) 3 (3) 37 (40)

Mass

Out of habitat

Single

UME

Total

-

-

2

-

2 (2)

-

108

The Philippine marine mammal strandings from 2005 to 2016 Lagenodelphis hosei Stenella attenuata Stenella coeruleoalba Unknown Total

-

-

1 1 1 2 7

-

1 (1) 1 (1) 1 (1) 2 (2) 7 (7)

The coverage of strandings recorded in the Region XII is shown in Figure 56a. Furthermore, Figures 56b and 56c show the spatial distribution of stranding events that have been recorded last 2015 and 2016. A map of the density of marine mammal strandings along Region XII is shown in Figure 56d. Trends show that the highest stranding occurrences recorded (n=20) occurred during the Northeast monsoon (see Fig 4). However, the occurrence of recorded stranding events peaked in October (n=7) as shown in Figure 57. Most of the recorded strandings in this region were from Sarangani (Fig 58).

109

The Philippine marine mammal strandings from 2005 to 2016

Figure 56-a. Stranding distribution in Region XII from 2005 to 2016.

110

The Philippine marine mammal strandings from 2005 to 2016

Figure 56-b. Stranding distribution in Region XII in 2015. 111

The Philippine marine mammal strandings from 2005 to 2016

Figure 56-c. Stranding distribution in Region XII in 2016.

112

The Philippine marine mammal strandings from 2005 to 2016

Figure 56-d. Stranding density along the coasts of Region XII from 2005 to 2016.

113

The Philippine marine mammal strandings from 2005 to 2016 8 7 7 6 6 5

5 4

4 3 3 2

2

2

2

2 1 1 0

Month

Figure 57. Number of stranding events per month in Region XII from 2005 to 2016.

40 35 30

Frequency

Frequency

5 5

25 20

SW

15

NE

10

IM

5 0 Sarangani

South Cotabato 12

Provinces of SOCCSKSARGEN

Figure 58. Stranding events by season per province in Region XII.

114

The Philippine marine mammal strandings from 2005 to 2016

Region XIII The CARAGA Region ranked 14th (among 16) in terms of stranding frequency nationwide (see Table 2). The average incidence of stranding per year is just one (1). The highest annual stranding frequency recorded was only 2 and occurred in 2006, 2014 and 2016 (Fig 59). With the relatively low number of stranding events, no province was listed in the top 20 hottest provinces. Within the region, the province of Surigao del Norte has the highest number of recorded stranding events (n=6). Agusan del Norte and Surigao del Sur had the least stranding frequency (n=2) (see Fig 5). The assemblage of marine mammal species involved to have stranded in Region XIII are listed in Table 3. A total of eight (n=8) recorded species stranded in the area. Table 17 shows the category of stranding and the species involved by province. Most of the stranded species involved single stranders. Eighty-two percent (9 of 11) of the strandings in this region involved live individuals. Stranding occurrences in Surigao del Norte recorded 5 species with one unidentified, while one (1) species and one unidentified were documented in Agusan del Norte and Surigao del Sur. 3

Frequency

2 13 - Surigao del Sur 13 - Surigao del Norte 13 - Dinagat Islands

1

13 - Agusan del Norte

0 2006 2007 2008 2009 2012 2014 2015 2016

Year

Figure 59. Number of stranding events from 2005 to 2006 in the provinces of Region XIII.

Table 17. Stranding frequency of species that stranded in Region XIII. a. Agusan del Norte Species Stenella longirostris

Mass

Out of habitat

Single

UME

Total

-

-

1

-

1 (1) 115

The Philippine marine mammal strandings from 2005 to 2016 Unknown Total b. Dinagat Island Species Kogia breviceps Total c. Surigao del Norte Species Balaenoptera edeni Kogia sima Peponocephala electra Tursiops aduncus Stenella coeruleoalba Unknown Total d. Surigao del Sur Species Mesoplodon densirostris Unknown Total

-

-

1 2

-

1 (1) 2(2)

Mass

Out of habitat

Single

UME

Total

-

-

1 1

-

1 (1) 1 (1)

Mass

Out of habitat

Single

UME

Total

-

-

1 1 (2) 1 1 1 5 (6)

-

1 (1) 1 (2) 1 (0)* 1 (1) 1 (1) 1 (1) 6 (6)*

-

-

-

1 (150) -

1 (150)

Mass

Out of habitat

Single

UME

Total

-

-

1 1 2

-

1 (1) 1 (1) 2 (2)

-

Stranding distribution that occurred in Region XIII since 2005 is shown in Figure 60a. Stranding events recorded during the last two years (2015 and 2016) are shown in Figures 60b and 60c, respectively. Most of the strandings recorded occurred in an unknown or undetermined month and season (see Figs 61 and 62).

116

The Philippine marine mammal strandings from 2005 to 2016

Figure 60-a. Stranding distribution in Region XIII from 2005 to 2016. 117

The Philippine marine mammal strandings from 2005 to 2016

Figure 60-b. Stranding distribution in Region XIII in 2015. 118

The Philippine marine mammal strandings from 2005 to 2016

Figure 60-c. Stranding distribution in Region XIII in 2016. 119

The Philippine marine mammal strandings from 2005 to 2016 5 4

3 2 2 1

1

1

1

1

January

March

May

August

September

1 0 November

unknown

Month

Figure 61. Number of stranding events per month in Region XIII from 2005 to 2016.

7 6 5

Frequency

Frequency

4

4 unknown 3

SW NE

2

IM 1 0 Agusan del Norte

Dinagat Islands

Surigao del Norte

Surigao del Sur

13

Provinces of CARAGA

Figure 62. Stranding events by season for provinces covered by Region XIII .

120

The Philippine marine mammal strandings from 2005 to 2016

ARMM The Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao is the second to the last region with the lowest number of recorded strandings (see Table 2). The average stranding per year in the region is only one (1). The highest total number of stranding in a single year was only two (2), recorded in 2011 (Fig 63). Maguindanao and Tawi-Tawi are the provinces in ARMM that has recorded the highest number of stranding events within the region (see Fig 5). The diverse assemblage of stranded species (n= 5) recorded in ARMM is shown in Table 3. Table 18 shows the category and the species involved to stranding by province. There were 2 stranded species involved in the recorded event in Maguindanao and Tawi-Tawi while only 1 species in Basilan. Most of these species were categorized as single stranders. 3

Frequency

2 ARMM - Tawi-Tawi ARMM - Maguindanao 1

ARMM - City of Isabela

0 2006

2011

2014

2015

2016

Year

Figure 63. Number of stranding events from 2005 to 2006 in ARMM provinces.

Table 18. Stranding frequency of species that stranded in ARMM. a. City of Isabela (Basilan) Species

Mass

Out of habitat

Single

UME

Total

Kogia breviceps Total

-

-

1 1

-

1 (1) 1 (1)

-

121

The Philippine marine mammal strandings from 2005 to 2016 b. Maguindanao Species Grampus griseus Tursiops truncatus Total

Mass

Out of habitat

Single

UME

Total

-

-

1 1 2

-

1 (1) 1 (1) 2 (2)

Mass

Out of habitat

Single

UME

Total

-

1 (1) 2 (2) 3 (3)

-

c. Tawi-Tawi Species Balaenoptera omurai Physeter macrocephalus Total

-

-

1 2 1

The coverage of stranding in ARMM since 2005 is shown in Figure 64a.Stranding that have occurred for the past two (2) years (2015 and 2016) are shown in Figures 64a and 64b, respectively. Frequency of stranding recorded in the region was highest during the Intermonsoon lull (n=5) (see Fig 4) and in the month of April (n=4) (Fig 65). The proportion of stranding incidences per ARMM province by season is shown in Figure 66.

122

The Philippine marine mammal strandings from 2005 to 2016

Figure 64-a. Stranding distribution in ARMM from 2005 to 2016.

123

The Philippine marine mammal strandings from 2005 to 2016

Figure 64-b. Stranding distribution in ARMM in 2015. 124

The Philippine marine mammal strandings from 2005 to 2016

Figure 64-c. Stranding distribution in ARMM in 2016.

125

The Philippine marine mammal strandings from 2005 to 2016 5 4

3

2 1

1

1

0 March

April

November

Month

Figure 65. Number of stranding events per month in the ARMM from 2005 to 2016.

4

3

Frequency

Frequency

4

2 NE IM 1

0 City of Isabela

Maguindanao

Tawi-Tawi

ARMM

Provinces of ARMM

Figure 66. Stranding events by season in the provinces covered by ARMM.

126

The Philippine marine mammal strandings from 2005 to 2016

NCR The National Capital Region has the least stranding data among all the regions for the past 11 years (see Table 2). Annually, the average frequency of stranding in Metro Manila is only one (1). Marine mammal stranding in NCR was recorded in 2006, 2008 and 2013 (Fig 67). The species involved to stranding are listed in Table 3. A total of 3 stranding events involving 3 different species, which all occurred in Metro Manila (Table 19). The coverage of stranding in Metro Manila was illustrated in Figure 68. From the 3 stranding events, 2 occurred during the Intermonsoon lull (May) and the other, during the Northeast monsoon (December) (see Figs 69 and 70). Note that the Bryde’s whale, which was recorded to have stranded in North Harbor, Manila Bay, most likely came from Palawan waters as it appeared to have been caught in a ship’s bulbous bow.

Frequency

2

1 NCR - National Capital Region

0 2006

2008

2013

Year

Figure 67. Number of stranding events from 2005 to 2016 in NCR.

Table 19. Stranding frequency of species that stranded in NCR. Metro Manila Species Balaenoptera omurai Kogia sima Stenella longirostris Total

Mass

Out of habitat

Single

UME

Total

-

-

1 1 1 3

-

1 (1) 1 (1) 1 (1) 3 (3)

-

127

The Philippine marine mammal strandings from 2005 to 2016

Figure 68. Stranding distribution in NCR from 20015 to 2016.

128

The Philippine marine mammal strandings from 2005 to 2016 3

Frequency

2

1

0 May

December

Month

Figure 69. Number of stranding events per month in NCR from 2005 to 2016.

4

Frequency

3

2 NE IM 1

0 National Capital Region NCR

Metropolitan Manila

Figure 70. Stranding events per season in the NCR.

129

The Philippine marine mammal strandings from 2005 to 2016

DISCUSSION Increasing trend in frequency of Philippine marine mammal strandings The results from this 12-year stranding dataset (2005-2016) generated many significant information and patterns regarding stranded marine mammals in the Philippines. First, it showed that marine mammal strandings appear to be increasing (see Fig 2) and that it occurred in all coastal regions (see Table 2). In an earlier study (Aragones et al. 2010), the increasing trend was suggestive of the growing awareness regarding stranded marine mammals and the need to report them. However, data used for this study excluded the earlier years (1998-2004) and used only those starting from 2005, the year PMMSN was established, to reduce such bias. The top five years with highest frequency of strandings (2011, 2013, 2014, 2015 & 2016) comprised 61% (n=438) of all events. These years were almost all in the later part of the range of years analyzed. The recorded 178 stranding events from 1998 to 2009 (Aragones et al. 2010), was merely 25% of the 713 obtained for this study. That was a remarkable increase. Further, the annual average frequency of stranding events of 59 was equivalent to 5 strandings a month (i.e. at least once a week) nationwide. Interesting to note though that the recorded frequency in 2015 of 111, the highest for any year so far, declined to 76 in 2016. This is most likely brought about by the increasing efforts of BFAR in collaboration with LGUs to patrol the coastal waters. The Bureau has deployed nationwide through their regional offices, several patrol boats to protect our marine resources from illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing. This is most likely the case for Region I, the hottest hotspot of strandings in the country. The Ilocos Region through the BFAR RO1/ PMMSN 1 Chapter has reported 44 of strandings in 2015 in comparison to 12 in 2016. The many hours spent patrolling and heightened vigilance is most likely slowly starting to pay off. Furthermore, using a protocol to examine impacts of human interactions (HI) on strandings, a recent study (Obusan et al. 2016) implicated entanglement in fishing nets, entrapment in fishing cages, collisions with fishing vessels, and fishing-gear related injuries as forms of direct fishery interactions in the Philippines. The reasons behind marine mammal strandings in the country are still uncertain. After 2010 (Aragones et al.), we attempted to systematically examine potential causes of strandings. Obusan et al. in 2015 found 25 bacteria from samples of cetaceans (n=30) that stranded from January 2012 to March 2013. Some of the recorded microorganisms have the potential to cause new infections in marine mammals worldwide (Obusan et al. 2015). This has huge implications to the potential movement of emerging pathogens in the marine environment (i.e. One Health). Further, the recorded stranding events of marine mammals in the 130

The Philippine marine mammal strandings from 2005 to 2016 country are also being analyzed in relation to different environmental factors (see discussion below) and contaminants (i.e. polychlorinated biphenyls or PCBs). A recent report highlighted the impacts of dynamite blasts on rough-toothed and spinner dolphins which stranded in the west coasts of Luzon (Pacini et al. in press). As the PMMSN continue to respond, monitor the strandings, archive samples, and conduct studies, we may end up having more questions than answers. That is why there is a need to continue to comprehensively report and record strandings and examine further the possible causes of this seemingly increasing trend. A well-maintained marine mammal stranding database could serve as a vital tool in understanding not only strandings but also the changing marine environment (Aragones et al. 2010).

Validation of diverse marine mammal strandings in the Philippines In the absence of wide scale field surveys for marine mammals in the Philippines, strandings data serve as the best alternative to validating species composition (diversity) and potential distribution. In 2010, Aragones et al., reported 28 species (27 cetaceans and 1 sirenian). To date, 29 species of marine mammals (28 cetaceans and 1 sirenian) have been recorded in the Philippines, most of which were validated by strandings (see Appendix 2). The Indo-Pacific humpback dolphin (Sousa chinensis) has been dropped off the list since it has never been encountered. Therefore, practically two species have been added. The first one was a rare beaked whale, the Gingko-toothed whale (Mesoplodon ginkgodens), which stranded in Subic Bay in 2010 (see Table 6e). The second was another rare beaked whale, Deranayigala’s beaked whale (Mesoplodon hotaula), whose identification was only validated through genetic techniques (Lacsamana et al. 2015) (see Table 15a). Also, the second specimen of a Longman’s beaked whale (Indopacetus pacificus) was recorded in General Nakar, Quezon in 2016. The presence of these rare beaked whales in various areas in the country implies that these species possibly utilize several important deep-water habitats within our territorial waters. Additionally, in terms of distribution, the waters off the West Philippine Sea appear to harbor a diverse assemblage of cetaceans as inferred from the relatively high number of species recorded in Ilocos Norte (n=15), Ilocos Sur (n=11), Pangasinan (n=13) and Zambales (n=15). Furthermore, based on recorded strandings, the following areas seem to be important marine mammal habitats: West Philippine Sea, and waters surrounding the Bicol Peninsula (including the province of Quezon) in southern Luzon; Tañon Strait, Sulu Sea, and Bohol Sea in the Visayas; and Sarangani Bay, Davao Gulf, and Mindanao Sea in Mindanao. These are important revelations as large-scale systematic surveys are expensive, labor intensive, and time consuming. Although, it would be important to conduct these sorts of systematic boat surveys in the future for proper estimation of their abundances. 131

The Philippine marine mammal strandings from 2005 to 2016 Interesting to note that 11 of the 16 regions recorded more than 10 species of marine mammals (see Table 3). Another notable result was that the spinner dolphins was the most common stranded species and had been recorded to have stranded in 15 out of 16 regions. This implies that the spinner dolphin is most likely the most abundant and widely distributed marine mammal species in the Philippines. The prevalence of dolphins and toothed whales or odontocetes and a few mysticetes or baleen whales in the recorded stranded species also validates that the Philippines harbor a good diverse assemblage of cetaceans.

Special considerations for the Irrawaddy dolphin and the dugong The dugong, together with the Irrawaddy dolphin are mostly likely the two most endangered marine mammals in the Philippines. The dugongs have been recorded to strand in 10 of the 16 regions, while the Irrawaddy dolphins only in one (Region VI). The areas of concern for dugongs were in Regions VI, IX, XI and XII. The Irrawaddy dolphins are found in Malampaya Sound and along the coasts of Region VI. Both species prefer nearshore areas. The main concern, however, is that the dugong is the 7th most common stranded species, among the 26-recorded species to strand. There were 36 records of dugong strandings from 2006 to 2016. That is equivalent to 3 strandings per year for the last 11 years. This is alarming as the estimated Potential Biological Removal (PBR) allowed for a robust dugong population of 500 individuals is just 1. This means that such population could only sustain 1 mortality outside of the normal as there is also a proportion of the population that dies annually. Although we do not have estimates of dugong abundance nor distinction of stocks or populations, it is hard to imagine that such rate of strandings (often resulting to mortalities) could be sustained. We suspect that the Irrawaddy dolphin is also in the same situation as they face challenges, particularly as fisheries bycatch, as their preferred estuarine or brackish waters are shared with many fishers (Smith et al. 2004). This impact is often referred to as Malthusian fisheries and reflected as classic example of the tragedy of the commons. It is important to note though that if we continue the status quo for these species, they would probably continue to slowly decline into their demise.

Stranding hotspots in Luzon, Visayas & Mindanao The stranding hotspots are areas of concern that should be given thorough consideration. For instance, three of the top five hotspot regions nationwide were from Luzon: Regions I, III, and V. Likewise, 132

The Philippine marine mammal strandings from 2005 to 2016 five of the top six hotspot provinces were also from Luzon: Pangasinan, Ilocos Norte, Cagayan, Sorsogon and Zambales. This pattern is consistent with those reported in 2010 (Aragones et al. 2010), when the stranding dataset analyzed ranged from 1998 to 2009, and that Luzon accounted for 56% of all strandings; and Pangasinan, Cagayan and Zambales also included in the top six provinces. Luzon contributed 60% of recorded strandings in the current dataset. In the Visayas, Regions VI and VII were the notable regional hotspots. On the other hand, Regions IX, XI and XII were the hotspots for Mindanao. Regions I, III, V, VII and IX were also listed as hotspots in 2010 (Aragones et al. 2010). These consistently identified stranding hotspot areas could imply high productivity, high fishing efforts, abundant marine mammals, as well conflicts in resource use, including the prevalence of illegal activities. The specific municipalities of concern for the various hotspot regions and provinces were summarized in Appendix 3. Furthermore, Obusan et al. (2016) identified Regions III, VII, V, and I as hotspots for strandings resulting from human interactions (HI). These regions, except Region 7, were from Luzon. However, this study showed that 14 of the 16 regions have records of more than 10 stranding events (see Table 2). Only ARMM and NCR had less than 10 strandings recorded. These 14 regions have all noteworthy stranding records and unique stories. Therefore, these 14 regions should at least develop plans, if in case, they have not done yet, to properly address these strandings (e.g. training for proper response, data collection, etc). As mentioned before, the guarding of the BFAR patrol boats throughout the country serves as a deterrent against illegal activities, as well as serve as means of fast and reliable response to strandings.

Spatial variation of strandings and utility of density maps Stranding events in the Philippines varied in space. The big picture was discussed above. It showed the regional (and provincial) stranding hotspots for each of the major island groups, and majority were from Luzon. In a smaller scale (i.e. municipality or city), there are some places which have had high noteworthy recorded frequencies of strandings within the LGUs of Pagudpod and Badoc (Ilocos Norte), Alaminos City (Pangasinan), Sta Ana (Cagayan), Subic (Zambales), Zamboanga City (Zamboanga del Sur), Alabel, Maasim and Glan (Sarangani), Davao City (Davao del Sur), and Mati City (Davao Oriental), to mention a few. These areas are of special interest and should have their own first response teams. The cities of Alaminos and Zamboanga both have respective PMMSN City Chapters. One of the major outputs of this study was maps showing density of stranding events within the hotspot regions. This could serve as a guide to help in planning with regards to anticipating marine mammal stranding events. Further, these maps could aid regional offices of where to locate potential rescue 133

The Philippine marine mammal strandings from 2005 to 2016 centers as well identify places for possible IEC and sources of volunteers or LGUs to train for proper response.

Temporal variation of strandings The frequency of strandings varied temporally. Overall, the trend of the seasonality revealed that the NE monsoon (n=278, 39%) had higher frequency of recorded stranding events than SW (n=207, 29%) and IM (n=209, 29%) (see Fig 4). This was comparable to the findings in 2010 (Aragones et al.), wherein 34% of the strandings occurred during the NE monsoon. They explained this by relating that most upwellings in the Philippines, particularly those in the western sections of large islands like Luzon are at their maximum during the NE monsoons (Ubarde-Walker & Villanoy 2001). This imply that the coastal areas periodically experience abundance in prey most likely attracting some cetaceans to come closer to shores (e.g. Evans et al. 2005). The stranding events in Luzon peaked in the month of April. This probably reflected the potential impact of lag effect of the NE monsoons to prey movement and eventually strandings. We are currently looking at the possible effects of some environmental parameters (i.e. bathymetry, chlorophyll-a and Sea Surface Temperature) to strandings in the Philippines.

The PMMSN’s improving response and imminent challenges The response to strandings has remarkably improved through time. This is mainly due to the significant increase in numbers of PMMSN Chapter chapters and trained volunteers nationwide. The PMMSN now have at least 12 collaborating BFAR Regional Offices, 11 with MOAs and 1 currently being worked out. In 2010, 5 years after the establishment of PMMSN, there were 1736 trained volunteers. Currently, there are 3690 trained volunteers, including about 75 veterinarians who underwent a special training on medical management for stranded marine mammals. The presence of active PMMSN Chapters in several regions through the initiatives of BFAR Regional Offices, and provinces and cities/municipalities has enabled better response than before. Further, the presence of trained veterinarians, particularly those from BFAR, has improved the medical management of live stranders. Most of these Regional Offices (PMMSN Chapters) host training-workshops annually through the PMMSN’s core trainers. For example, Region I, organize and fund these trainings at least twice a year for five consecutive years now. These trainings enabled them to increase their pool of trained responders by building the capacity of identified hotspot localities (LGUs) to stranding response. Furthermore, Regional Offices of regions I, II, III, IV-A, V, 134

The Philippine marine mammal strandings from 2005 to 2016 VII, VIII, XI, and XIII have either already organized or are planning to organize provincial chapters of PMMSN through their Provincial Fisheries Offices to further enhance their capacity to respond to strandings. Regions IX, X and XII are currently setting up their respective Chapters. Also, most Regional Chapters have already purchased standard marine mammal stretchers and distributed to their coastal provinces. However, there are still many challenges. For example, the coordination between the individual(s) who initially discover stranded marine mammals and trained local personnel (responders) needs to improve. Most often the discovering parties do not know who to call. This is because, to date, there are many trained locals, especially in strategic (hotspot) areas, who are knowledgeable about stranding first response protocols. This is one of the reasons of delayed response, compromising the animal’s chance of survival, as the discovering parties attempt to call (or send SMS to) the key people in PMMSN or BFAR Regional Offices instead of the trained local first responders. Supposedly, the assistance of the pertinent personnel from BFAR Regional Office (e.g. veterinarian) and/or PMMSN, would be required or immediately pursued, only if there is no local individual(s) trained or after the animal has been given first aid and stabilized. The travel times of the responders from the Regional Office and/or UP Diliman to the stranding site would obviously always be a challenge, as most often strandings occur in remote areas. Another challenge is finding accessible pond or pen for possible use as holding pens for rehabilitation of stranded animals in remote areas. Although some Regional Chapters (Offices) have had the initiative to solve this problem. For instance, BFAR RO#1, has converted one of its boats into a dolphin ambulance (i.e. holding pool). In most cases, the locals innovate to allow the veterinarians to proceed with the medical management.

Some other notable findings Unfortunately, not all the results of this study can be discussed thoroughly. However, there are some quite noteworthy ones that should be considered. First, an Unusual Mortality Event has been recorded for the first time (see results for Region 1). This involved 31 individuals of Fraser’s dolphins stranding in various localities along the southern section of the Lingayen Gulf for almost 1 month. In the US, they have an average of 2 UMEs per year involving many individuals in each event since 1991 (see http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/health/mmume/events.html). Second, at least two major out of habitat events, most likely involving the same groups of melon-headed whales have been recorded. In 10 February 2009, an estimated 250 individuals got very closed to the shores of Pilar, Bataan. Three 135

The Philippine marine mammal strandings from 2005 to 2016 individuals died because of entanglement from bottom set gillnets. Three weeks later (3 March 2009), a group of about 200 melon-headed whales took shelter inside a relatively small embayment in Odiongan, Romblon for almost 8 hours. This group was allegedly the same from Bataan as they had many calves, and since the three animals that died in Abucay/Pilar, involved one pregnant, and a mother and a calf. Another remarkable finding from this study was the significant number of live animals released back into their habitats. For the last 12 years, at least 329 individuals were rescued, stabilized and released, including 5 baleen whales. That was equivalent to 27 animals per year. Even if only 20% survived, that was still equivalent to 5 animals per year. Further, the success rate of rehabilitation has increased from 12% in 2010 (Aragones et al.) to 23%. The 11 animals successfully rehabilitated was equivalent to almost 1 animal released per year. This is an exceptional rate as most often the rehabilitation started in very simple settings before they are brought to the rehabilitation facility of Ocean Adventure, a marine theme park located in Subic Bay Freeport. In some instances, the animals were rehabilitated in the locality where they originally stranded. Furthermore, four dolphins, mostly victims of dynamite blasts, and therefore are acoustically challenged, and with almost nil chances of survival if released, are now under human care and with their conspecifics. The PMMSN has also observed increasing cases of stranders (dead or dying) with compacted GIT by marine debris. A systematic collection of information regarding these sorts of cases and the like is now in place. These would not have been possible if there was no organized national stranding network (i.e. the PMMSN) that looked after their welfare as well as systematically collected data. The engagement of the empowered communities (e.g. PMMSN Chapters), especially mandated agencies (i.e. BFAR, LGUs) and their respective leaders made the difference in the Philippine marine mammal strandings.

136

The Philippine marine mammal strandings from 2005 to 2016

SUMMARY The main findings of this study are summarized as follows: -

A total of 713 events have been recorded from 2005 to 2016. Mostly from single stranding events (90%) involving adults (70%). The annual average was 59 (i.e. at least one stranding event per week).

-

The trend show that the annual frequency of strandings has increased. These five years: 2011, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016 comprised 61% of all strandings.

-

From hottest hotspots to least: Region 1>5>7>3>2>6>12>4A=11>4B>9>8>10>13>ARMM>NCR.

-

The top 20 provinces with high frequencies of stranding events: Pangasinan, Ilocos Norte, Cagayan, Sarangani, Sorsogon, Zambales, Negros Oriental, Quezon, Iloilo, Zamboanga del Sur, Ilocos Sur, Camarines Sur, La Union, Albay, Cebu, Davao Oriental, Bohol, Bataan, Batangas, and Romblon.

-

The top 10 most common species that stranded were the spinner, Fraser’s and Risso’s dolphins, melon-headed whale, pantropical spotted dolphin, dwarf sperm whale, dugong, pygmy sperm whale, and short-finned pilot and sperm whales.

-

Very rare beaked whales have been recorded: Gingko-toothed, Longman’s and Deranayigala’s.

-

Special concern should be given when dugongs and Irrawaddy dolphins strand.

-

The NE monsoon comprised 39% of all strandings while SW monsoon and IM each had 29%.

-

Sixty percent (i.e. 6 out of 10) of the stranding events involved live animals.

-

To date, 11 BFAR Regional Offices (I, II, III, IV-A, V, VII, VIII, IX, XI, XII, XIII) have MOAs with PMMSN, plus one (BFAR X) still being worked out.

-

The stranding density maps for the regional hotspots identified the important areas of concern for various regions and provinces. This could also serve as basis for planning where to recruit volunteers for capacity building and where to locate potential rescue centers.

-

At least 329 individuals, including 5 baleen whales have been released after applying various stages (times) of supportive care.

-

The current success rate for rehabilitation is 23%. At least 11 animals were released after rehabilitation.

137

The Philippine marine mammal strandings from 2005 to 2016

REFERENCES Aragones, L.V., M.A. Roque, M.B. Flores, R.P. Encomienda, G.E. Laule, B.G. Espinos, F.E. Maniago, G. Diaz, E.B Alesna and R.C. Braun. 2010. The Philippine marine mammal strandings from 1998 to 2009: Animals in the Philippines peril? Aquatic Mammals 36(3): 219-233. DOI 10. 1578/AM.36.3.2010.219. Aragones, L.V., G.E. Laule, B.G. Espinos (eds). 2013. 2nd Ed. Marine mammal stranding response manual – A guide for the rescue, rehabilitation, and release of stranded cetaceans and dugongs in the Philippines. A Wildlife in Need (WIN) and Ocean Adventure publication. Subic Bay, Freeport. 141 p + iii. Aragones, L.V. 2013. Overview of Philippine marine mammals. In L.V. Aragones, G.E. Laule, B.G. Espinos (eds) [2nd Ed] Marine mammal stranding response manual, pp 6-30. A Wildlife in Need (WIN) and Ocean Adventure publication. Subic Bay, Freeport. Berini C. 2009. Pygmy Sperm Whale (Kogia breviceps, De Blainville 1838) Strandings along the Atlantic Coast of Southeastern United States: Analysis of Association with Environmental Factors. M.Sc. Thesis. The Graduate School of the College of Charleston, United States. Berta, A., J. Sumich & K. Kovacs. 2nd Ed. 2006. Marine mammals: Evolutionary biology. Academic Press. Danil, K., Chivers, S.J., Henshaw, M.D., Thieleking, J.L., Daniels, R., & Leger, J.A.S. 2010. Cetacean strandings in San Diego County, California, USA. Journal of Cetacean Research and Management 11: 163-184. Evans, K., Thresher, R., Warneke, R. M., Bradshaw, C. J. A., Pook, M., Thiele, D., et al. 2005. Periodic variability in cetacean strandings: Links to large-scale climatic events. Biology Letters, 1, 147-150. 138

The Philippine marine mammal strandings from 2005 to 2016 Fajardo, I. S. 2001. Surveying and mapping in the Philippines. Proceedings of the Twentieth International Cartographic Conference, Beijing, China. Flores, J., & Balagot, V. 1969. In Climate of the Philippines. Climates of Northern and Eastern Asia, World Survey of Climatology, Vol. 8. Elsevier: Amsterdam, 159-213 pp. Geraci, J.R. and Lounsbury, V.J. 2005. 2nd Ed. Marine mammals ashore: A field guide for strandings. National Aquarium in Baltimore, MD. Lacsamana, J. K., Ventolero, M. F., Blatchley, D., & Santos, M. D. 2015. First record of a rare beaked whale Mesoplodon hotaula in the Philippines. Marine Biodiversity Records, Vol 8: 1-6. NOAA Fisheries. http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/health/mmume/events.html). Accessed 1 February 2017. Norman, S.A., Bowlby, C.E., Brancato, M.S., Calambokidis, J., Duffield, D., Gearin, P.J., & Jeffries, S.J. 2004. Cetacean strandings in Oregon and Washington between 1930 and 2002. Journal of Cetacean Research and Management 6(1): 87-100. Obusan, M.C.M., W.L. Rivera, M.A.T. Siringan, L.V. Aragones. 2016. Stranding events in the Philippines provide evidence for impacts of human interaction on cetaceans. Oceans & Coastal Management 134: 41-51. Obusan, M.C.M., L.V. Aragones, C.C. Salibay, M.A.T. Siringan, and W.L. Rivera 2015. Occurrence of human pathogenic bacteria, Toxoplasma gondii in cetaceans stranded in the Philippines: Providing clues on ocean health status. Aquatic Mammals 41(2): 149-166. Pacini, A., Nachtigal, P., Smith, A., Suarez, L., Aragones, L., Laule, G., Magno, C., Braun, R. In press. Hearing loss and dynamite fishing in two species of odontocetes. Proceedings of Meetings on Acoustics.

139

The Philippine marine mammal strandings from 2005 to 2016 Perrin, W.F., and Geraci, J.R. 2002. Strandings. In W.F. Perrin, B. Würsig, & J.G.M. Thewissen (eds.), Encyclopedia of marine mammals. pp. 1192-1194. San Diego: Academic Press. Smith, B.O., Jefferson, T.A., Leatherwood, S., Ho, D.T., Thuoc, C. V., & Quang, L.H. 1997. Investigations of marine mammals in Vietnam. Asian Marine Biology 14: 111-143. Smith, B. D., I. Beasley, M. Buccat, V. Calderon, R. Evina, J. L. De Valle, A. Cadigal, E. Tura, and Z. Visitacion. 2004. Status, ecology and conservation of Irrawaddy dolphins (Orcaella brevirostris) in Malampaya sound, Palawan, Philippines. Journal of Cetacean Research and Management 6(1): 41–52. Udarbe-Walker, M.J.B., & Villanoy, C.L. 2001. Structure of potential upwelling areas in the Philippines. DeepSea Research Part I, 48: 1499-1518. Walker, R.J., Keith E.O., Yankovsky A.E., Odell, D. K. 2005. Environmental correlates of cetacean mass stranding sites in Florida. Marine Mammal Science 21(2): 327-335.

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The Philippine marine mammal strandings from 2005 to 2016

APPENDICES Appendix 1. PMMSN’s Marine Mammal Stranding Report Form (from Aragones et al. 2013).

141

The Philippine marine mammal strandings from 2005 to 2016 Appendix 2. An updated list of marine mammal species in the Philippines with stranding rating. Stranding CITES Rating classification1 ORDER CETACEA Suborder Odontoceti1 (Toothed whales, dolphin, and porpoises Family Delphinidae1 1. Bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) Very Frequent II 2. False killer whale (Pseudorca crassidens) Rare II 3. Fraser’s dolphin (Lagenodelphis hosei) Very Frequent II 4. Indo-Pacific Bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops aduncus) Frequent II 5. Irrawaddy dolphin (Orcaella brevirostris) Very Rare I 6. Killer whale (Orcinus orca) Very Rare II 7. Melon-headed whale (Peponocephala electra) Very Frequent II 8. Pantropical spotted dolphin (Stenella attenuata) Very Frequent II 9. Pygmy killer whale (Feresa attenuata) Rare II 10. Risso’s dolphin (Grampus griseus) Very Frequent II 11. Rough-toothed dolphin (Steno bredanensis) Frequent II 12. Short-finned pilot whale (Globicephala macrorhynchus) Very Frequent II 13. Spinner dolphin (Stenella longirostris) Very Frequent II 14. Striped dolphin (Stenella coeruleoalba) Rare II Family Kogiidae2 (Pygmy and dwarf sperm whales) 15. Dwarf sperm whale (Kogia sima) Very Frequent II 16. Pygmy sperm whale (Kogia breviceps) Very Frequent II 2 Family Physeteridae 17. Sperm whale (Physeter macrocephalus) Very Frequent I 2 Family Ziphiidae (Beaked whales) 18. Blainville’s beaked whale (Mesoplodon densirostris) Rare II 19. Cuvier’s beaked whale (Ziphius cavirostris) Rare II 20. Deranayigala’s beaked whale (Mesoplodon hotaula)3 Very Rare II 21. Gingko-toothed whale (Mesoplodon ginkgodens) Very Rare II 22. Longman’s beaked whale (Indopacetus pacificus) Very Rare II 2 Suborder Mysticeti (Baleen whales) Family Balenopteridae2 (Rorquals) 23. Blue whale (Balaenoptera musculus) Never I 24. Bryde’s whale (Balaenoptera edeni) Very Rare I 25. Common Minke whale (Balaenoptera acutorostrata) Never I 26. Fin whale (Balaenoptera physalus) Very Rare I 27. Humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) Very Rare I 28. Omura’s whale (Balaenoptera omurai) Very Rare I ORDER SERENIA (Family Dugongidae) 29. Dugong (Dugong dugon)4 Very Frequent I (1)

CITES Appendix I, includes species threatened with extinction and for which trade must be subject to particularly strict regulation and only authorized in exceptional circumstances. CITES Appendix II, includes species that are not necessarily threatened now with extinction but may become so if trade is not strictly regulated. (2) Protected under Fisheries Administrative Order Nos. 185 series of 1992, and 185-1 series of 1997. (3) Validated by Lacsamana et al. 2015 (4) Protected under DENR Administrative Order 55 Series of 1991

142

The Philippine marine mammal strandings from 2005 to 2016 Appendix 3. Summary of frequency of strandings per municipality for top hotspot regions in Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. Municipality

Year 2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

2016

Total

Luzon Region I Ilocos Norte Bacarra

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

1

1

-

-

-

2

Badoc

-

-

-

-

1

1

1

-

4

3

1

2

13

Bangui

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

2

-

1

3

Burgos

-

-

-

-

-

1

-

-

-

-

-

1

3

-

1

-

-

-

-

-

-

Currimao

1

5

Laoag City

-

-

-

-

-

1

1

1

-

-

3

Pagudpud

-

-

-

1

-

-

1

1

1

2 -

1 -

1

4 -

1 -

14

-

1 -

3

Paoay

1 -

Pasuquin

-

-

-

-

1

1

-

-

3

2

-

-

7

Burgos

-

-

-

-

-

1

-

-

-

-

-

-

1

Cabugao

-

-

-

-

-

-

1

-

1

-

2

-

4

Magsingal

-

-

-

-

-

1

-

-

-

1

-

1

3

Narvacan

-

-

1

-

-

-

-

-

-

2

-

-

3

Santa Cruz

-

-

1

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

1

Santa Maria

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

1

-

1

-

-

2

Santiago

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

2

2

Santo Domingo

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

1

1

2

Sinait

-

-

-

-

-

-

1

-

-

-

1

-

2

Tagudin

-

-

-

-

-

-

1

-

1

-

-

-

2

La Union Agoo

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

3

-

3

Aringay

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

2

-

2

Bacnotan

-

-

-

-

-

1

-

-

-

-

-

-

1

Balaoan

-

-

1

-

1

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

2

Bauang

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

1

-

-

1

-

2

Caba

-

-

-

-

-

-

1

-

-

-

-

-

1

City of San Fernando

1

-

1

-

-

-

-

1

1

2

-

1

7

San Juan

-

-

-

1

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

1

Santo Tomas

-

-

-

-

-

-

1

1

-

-

-

-

2

Pangasinan Agno

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

1

1

Anda

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

2

1

4

-

7

Binmaley

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

1

-

1

4

Ilocos Sur

143

The Philippine marine mammal strandings from 2005 to 2016 Bolinao

-

-

-

-

-

1

-

3

-

-

1

-

5

City of Alaminos

-

-

1

1

-

-

1

2

1

1

4

-

11

Dagupan City

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

1

-

6

-

7

Dasol

-

1

-

-

-

-

1

2

2

2

1

9

Infanta

-

-

-

-

2

1

-

-

-

-

-

-

3

Labrador

-

-

-

1

-

-

-

-

-

-

1

-

2

Lingayen

1

-

-

-

1

-

1

-

-

-

5

-

8

San Fabian

-

2

-

-

-

-

1

-

-

-

1

-

4

Sual

-

-

-

1

-

-

-

-

-

-

4

-

5

Region II (Cagayan Valley) Batanes Basco

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

1

1

2

Mahatao

1

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

1

-

2

Aparri

-

1

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

2

-

-

3

Ballesteros

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

1

-

-

1

2

Buguey

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

2

2

-

-

-

4

Calayan

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

1

-

1

Claveria

-

1

1

-

-

-

2

1

1

-

1

-

7

Gonzaga

-

-

2

-

-

-

-

-

-

1

-

-

3

Pamplona

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

1

-

-

-

1

Sanchez-Mira

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

2

2

-

4

Santa Ana

2

1

2

-

-

3

1

1

4

1

-

15

Isabela Divilacan

1

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

2

-

-

3

Maconacon

1

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

1

Cagayan

Region III (Central Luzon) Aurora Baler

-

-

-

-

-

1

-

-

-

-

-

-

1

Casiguran

-

-

-

-

-

1

-

-

-

1

1

1

4

Dinalungan

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

1

-

1

Bataan Abucay

-

-

-

-

-

1

-

-

-

-

-

-

1

Bagac

-

-

-

1

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

1

City of Balanga

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

1

-

-

1

Mariveles

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

1

-

-

1

Morong

1

1

-

1

-

1

-

-

1

-

-

-

5

Pilar

-

-

-

-

2

1

-

-

-

-

-

-

3

Samal

-

-

-

-

-

1

-

-

-

-

-

-

1

Bulacan Bulacan

-

-

-

-

1

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

1

144

The Philippine marine mammal strandings from 2005 to 2016 City of Malolos

-

-

-

1

-

-

1

-

-

-

-

-

2

Paombong

-

-

-

-

1

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

1

Pampanga Lubao

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

1

1

Zambales Botolan

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

1

1

Cabangan

-

1

-

-

-

-

-

1

-

-

-

-

2

Candelaria

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

1

1

-

2

4

Masinloc

-

-

-

-

1

-

-

-

-

1

-

-

2

Palauig

-

1

-

-

-

-

-

1

-

-

-

-

2

San Antonio

-

1

-

-

-

1

-

1

1

-

-

-

4

San Narciso

1

-

-

-

-

1

-

-

-

-

-

2

Santa Cruz

-

-

-

-

-

3

1

-

-

-

-

-

4

Subic

1

-

-

-

2

1

-

-

1

2

1

-

8

-

-

-

-

1

1

Region V Albay Bacacay

-

-

City of Ligao

-

Legazpi City

-

Libon

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

1

-

-

-

2

-

-

-

-

-

2

-

2

-

-

2

-

-

1

-

6

-

-

-

-

1

1

1

-

-

-

-

-

3

Oas

-

-

-

-

-

2

-

-

-

-

-

-

2

Rapu-rapu

-

1

-

-

-

1

-

-

-

-

-

-

2

Santo Domingo (Libog)

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

2

-

-

2

Tiwi

-

-

-

-

-

1

-

1

-

-

-

-

2

Camarines Norte Capalonga

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

1

1

Jose Panganiban

-

-

-

-

1

-

-

-

-

-

-

1

2

Mercedes

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

1

-

-

-

Paracale

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

1

-

-

-

1

2

Camarines Sur Balatan

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

1

1

Calabanga

-

-

-

-

-

-

1

-

-

-

-

-

1

Del Gallego

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

1

1

2

Ragay

-

1

-

-

1

-

-

-

1

1

2

-

6

Sagnay

-

-

-

-

1

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

1

San Fernando

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

1

-

1

San Jose

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

1

1

-

-

-

2

Sipocot

-

-

-

-

-

-

1

1

1

-

-

-

3

Siruma

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

1

1

Tinambac

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

1

-

-

1

2

Tinambac

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

1

1

1

145

The Philippine marine mammal strandings from 2005 to 2016 Catanduanes Gigmoto

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

1

-

-

1

2

Panganiban (Payo)

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

1

-

-

-

-

1

San Andres (Calolbon)

-

-

-

-

-

1

-

-

-

-

-

-

1

Virac

-

-

-

-

-

-

1

-

-

-

-

-

1

Masbate Baleno

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

1

-

-

1

Cawayan

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

1

-

1

City of Masbate

-

-

-

-

1

2

-

-

-

1

-

-

4

Mobo

-

-

-

-

-

1

-

-

-

1

-

-

2

San Pascual

-

-

-

1

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

1

Uson

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

1

-

-

1

Sorsogon Barcelona

-

-

1

-

1

-

-

-

2

2

-

1

7

Bulan

-

1

-

-

-

-

1

-

-

-

-

-

2

Bulusan

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

1

1

Casiguran

-

-

-

-

1

-

-

-

-

-

-

1

2

Castilla

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

1

2

-

-

-

3

City of Sorsogon

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

3

3

Donsol

-

-

-

-

-

1

1

-

-

1

1

-

4

Gubat

-

1

-

-

1

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

2

Magallanes

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

1

-

-

1

Matnog

-

-

-

-

-

1

1

-

-

-

-

-

2

Pilar

-

-

-

-

-

-

1

1

-

-

-

-

2

Santa Magdalena

-

-

-

-

-

1

-

-

-

-

-

-

1

VISAYAS Region VI (Western Mindanao) Aklan Kalibo

-

-

1

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

1

Malay

-

-

-

1

-

-

-

-

1

2

-

-

4

Laua-An

-

-

-

-

-

-

1

-

-

-

-

-

1

Tibiao

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

1

-

-

1

-

2

-

-

1

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

1

2

Nueva Valencia

-

-

-

-

-

-

1

-

-

-

-

1

2

San Lorenzo

-

-

-

-

-

-

1

-

-

-

-

-

1

Sibunag

-

1

-

-

-

-

-

1

1

-

-

-

3

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

1

-

-

1

Antique

Capiz Roxas City Guimaras

Iloilo Banate

146

The Philippine marine mammal strandings from 2005 to 2016 Barotac Nuevo

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

1

1

-

1

3

Concepcion

-

-

-

-

-

-

1

-

-

-

-

-

1

Dumangas

1

1

-

1

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

3

Guimbal

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

1

-

-

1

Iloilo City

-

-

1

3

-

-

-

-

-

-

1

-

5

Leganes

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

1

-

1

Miagao

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

1

-

-

-

-

1

Oton

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

1

1

San Joaquin

-

-

-

-

-

1

-

-

-

-

-

-

1

Tigbauan

-

-

1

-

-

1

2

1

-

-

-

-

5

Bago City

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

1

1

2

Cauayan

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

1

1

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

1

-

-

1

-

-

-

1

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

1

Pulupandan

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

2

-

2

Valladolid

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

1

1

Negros Occidental

Enrique B. Magalona (Saravia) Ilog

Region VII (Central Visayas) Bohol Baclayon

-

2

-

1

-

-

-

-

-

1

-

-

4

Bien Unido

-

1

-

-

-

-

1

-

-

-

-

-

2

Dimiao

-

-

-

-

-

-

1

-

-

-

-

-

1

Garcia Hernandez

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

1

-

-

-

-

1

Jagna

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

1

1

Loay

1

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

1

Panglao

1

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

1

1

-

3

Talibon

-

-

-

-

1

-

-

-

-

-

1

City of Carcar

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

1

-

-

1

City of Naga

-

-

-

-

-

1

1

-

-

-

-

-

2

City of Talisay

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

2

-

-

2

Cordoba

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

1

-

-

-

1

Daanbantayan

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

1

-

-

1

Danao City

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

1

-

-

-

1

Lapu-Lapu City (opon)

-

1

1

-

-

-

-

-

1

2

1

-

6

Liloan

-

-

-

-

1

-

-

-

-

1

-

-

2

Medellin

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

1

-

-

1

Minglanilla

-

1

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

1

Oslob

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

1

-

-

-

-

1

-

-

-

-

-

-

1

-

-

-

-

-

1

Cebu

Negros Oriental Amlan (Ayuquitan)

147

The Philippine marine mammal strandings from 2005 to 2016 Ayungon

-

-

-

-

1

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

1

Bais City

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

1

1

-

-

2

Basay

-

-

-

1

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

1

Bindoy (Payabon)

-

-

-

1

1

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

2

City of Bayawan (tulong)

-

1

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

1

1

3

City of Guihulngan

-

-

-

-

1

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

1

City of Tanjay

-

-

-

-

-

-

1

-

1

-

-

-

2

Dauin

1

-

-

-

-

-

2

-

1

-

-

-

4

Dumaguete City

-

-

-

-

-

-

2

-

-

-

-

-

2

Jimalalud

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

1

-

-

1

La Libertad

-

-

-

-

-

-

1

-

-

-

-

-

1

San Jose

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

2

-

2

Santa Catalina

-

-

-

-

-

-

1

-

-

-

-

-

1

Siaton

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

1

1

Tayasan

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

1

-

-

-

1

Zamboanguita

1

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

1

Siquijor Larena

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

1

1

Maria

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

1

-

-

1

San Juan

1

-

-

-

-

-

-

1

1

1

-

-

4

Siquijor

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

2

-

-

-

2

MINDANAO Region IX (Zamboanga Peninsula) Zamboanga Del Norte Dipolog City

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

1

-

1

Zamboanga del Sur Zamboanga City

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

1

1

Margosatubig

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

1

-

-

1

Pagadian City

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

1

1

2

Zamboanga City

-

4

2

1

1

1

4

2

1

1

2

19

Zamboanga Sibugay Ipil

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

1

Region 11 (Davao Region) Compostela Valley Mabini

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

1

-

1

Maco

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

1

1

1

-

-

3

Pantukan

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

1

-

1

Davao del Norte City of Panabo

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

1

1

-

2

City of Tagum

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

1

1

2

Island Garden City of Samal

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

2

2

1

5

148

The Philippine marine mammal strandings from 2005 to 2016 Davao del Sur Davao City

1

-

-

-

-

-

-

1

1

3

2

2

10

Santa Cruz

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

1

-

1

Davao Occidental Malita

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

1

1

Davao Oriental Baganga

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

1

-

1

Banaybanay

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

1

-

-

1

City of Mati

-

-

-

-

-

-

4

-

1

-

4

-

9

Governor Generoso

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

1

-

1

Lupon

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

1

1

San Isidro

-

-

-

-

-

1

-

-

-

1

-

-

2

Tarragona

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

1

-

1

Region XII (SOCCSKSARGEN) Sarangani Alabel

3

-

-

-

-

1

-

2

-

1

1

1

9

Glan

-

-

1

1

-

1

-

2

1

1

-

1

8

Kiamba

1

-

-

-

1

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

2

Maasim

-

1

-

-

-

-

2

1

2

-

1

2

9

Maitum

-

2

-

1

-

-

-

-

-

3

-

-

6

Malapatan

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

2

-

1

-

3

1

-

-

-

1

-

2

-

-

2

-

1

7

22

29

21

22

32

43

58

47

60

89

93

61

577

South Cotabato General Santos (Dadiangas) Total

City

149

The Philippine marine mammal strandings from 2005 to 2016 Appendix 4. Summary of publications and researches of the Marine Mammal Research and Stranding Laboratory at the Institute of Environmental Science & Meteorology of the University of the Philippines - Diliman. The MMRSL is the research and academic arm of the PMMSN.

Publications •

Obusan, M.C.M., Rivera, W.L., Siringan, M.A.T., Aragones, L.V. (2016). Stranding Events in the Philippines provide evidence for impacts of human interactions on cetaceans. Ocean and Coastal Management 134 (2016) 41-51.

•

Obusan, M.C.M., Aragones, L.V., Salibay, C.C., Siringan, M.A.T., Rivera, W.L. (2015). Occurrence of Human Pathogenic Bacteria and Toxoplasma Gondii In Cetaceans Stranded in The Philippines: Providing Clues on Ocean and Human Health. Aquatic Mammals, 41(2), 149-166.

•

Aragones, L.V. L.J. Suarez, B.G. Espinos, G. Laule. 2015. PMMSN Field guide to the whales and dolphins of the Philippines. A Philippine Marine Mammal Stranding Network, Inc publication. ISBN 978-261-95396-0-9.

•

Aragones, L.V., Laule, G.E. & Espinos, B.G. (2013). Marine Mammal Stranding Response Manual: A Guide for the rescue, rehabilitation and release of stranded cetaceans and dugong in the Philippines (2nd). Wildlife In Need Foundation Inc. Publication.

•

Aragones, L.V., Roque, M.A.A., Flores, M.B., Encomienda, R.P., Laule, G.E., Espinos, B.G., Maniago, F.E., Diaz, G.C., Alesna, E.B., Braun R.C. (2010). The Philippine Marine Mammal Strandings from 1998 to 2009: Animals in the Philippines in Peril? Aquatic Mammals, 36(3), 219-233.

•

Aragones, L.V. & Laule, G.E. (2008). Marine Mammal Stranding Response Manual: A Guide for the rescue, rehabilitation and release of stranded cetaceans and dugong in the Philippines (1st). Wildlife In Need Foundation Inc. Publication.

Current Research •

Spatiotemporal distribution and relative abundance of small cetaceans along southern Tañon Strait in relation to environmental factors. Olivia C. Cabrera, Lemnuel V. Aragones and Apple Kristine S. Amor. University of the Philippines, Diliman.

•

Bacterial Pathogens from Stranded Cetaceans: Phenotypic Traits and Antibiotic Resistance Profile. Marie Christine M. Obusan, Lemnuel V. Aragones, Windell L. Rivera and Maria Auxilia T. Siringan. University of the Philippines, Diliman.

•

Tissue Sampling Strategies and Biobanking: A Spearheading Effort for the Marine Mammal Research and Stranding Laboratory. Jonah L. Bondoc, Faith Jessica M. Paran, Lemnuel V. Aragones and Rachel R. Gotanco. University of the Philippines, Diliman.

150

The Philippine marine mammal strandings from 2005 to 2016 •

Population Genetic Structure of Spinner Dolphin (Stenella longirostris) Populations in Philippine Waters: Implications for Conservation. Faith Jessica M. Paran, Lemnuel V. Aragones and Rachel June R. Gotanco. University of the Philippines, Diliman.

•

Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) and their Hydroxylated Metabolites-induced Changes in Cetaceans Found Stranded in Philippine Waters-Linking Ecotoxicological, Biomarker and Histopathological Approaches. Jonah L. Bondoc, Evangeline C. Santiago, Joseph S. Masangkay and Lemnuel V. Aragones. University of the Philippines, Diliman and Los Baños.

•

Marine Mammal Stranding along Stranding Hotspots of the Philippines between 2005-2015: Analysis of Association with Environmental Parameters. Honey Leen M. Laggui, Lemnuel V. Aragones and Olivia C. Cabrera. University of the Philippines Diliman.

•

Antibacterial Susceptibility of Human Pathogenic Microorganisms Isolated from Stranded Cetaceans in the Philippines. Jamaica Ann A. Caras, Lemnuel V. Aragones, Marie Christine M. Obusan, Windell L. Rivera and Maria Auxilia T. Siringan. University of the Philippines Diliman.

Past Projects/Research

•

Selected ecological aspects of spinner dolphins in southern Tañon Strait. January 2011 – December 2012. Funded by NSRI and UP Research Grants.

•

The short-term impact of cetacean watching on the behavior of spinner dolphins in southern Tañon Strait, Philippines. Roque, M.A. and Aragones, L.V. 2011. (MS Thesis of Ms Roque. University of the Philippines – Diliman. 70 p)

•

Photo-identification of small cetaceans in southern Tañon Strait. January 2007 – 2010. Funded by NSRI and UP Research Grants, and SWBG Conservation Fund.

•

The Philippine marine mammal strandings from 1998 to 2010. Aragones, L.V., M.A. Roque. 2010. Funded by UP Outright Grant and SWBG Conservation Fund, in collaboration with M.B. Flores, G.E. Laule and B.G. Espinos and published in Aquatic Mammals).

•

Dugong conservation in Guimaras Island, Philippines. 2005-2006. Funded by Rufford Small Grants for Nature Conservation & Guimaras Provincial Govt. (Portions published in Sirenian Conservation: Issues and strategies in developing countries.

151

The Philippine marine mammal strandings from 2005 to 2016

PLATES

Plate 1. Sperm whale. Babak District in the Island Garden City of Samal, Davao del Norte, December 17, 2016, (Photo by Dean I. Ortiz (SunStar Davao))

Plate 2. Pantropical spotted dolphin. Brgy Bangkal Pugad, Lubao, Pampanga, December 7, 2016. (Photo by Liezel Monido) 152

The Philippine marine mammal strandings from 2005 to 2016

Plate 3. Dwarf sperm whale. Manicahan, Zamboanga City, November 21, 2016. (Photo by Dr. Christopher Luyong)

Plate 4. Pantropical dolphin, (possibly a mother and calf). Poblacion Bacon, Bacon, Sorsogon, November 17, 2016. (Photo by Dr. Jose Maria Alindongan)

153

The Philippine marine mammal strandings from 2005 to 2016

Plate 5. Risso's dolphin. Bangui, Ilocos Norte, November 5, 2016. (Photo by Dr. Jeneveve Suliva)

Plate 6. Pygmy sperm whale. Libjo, Dinagat Island, Surigao del Sur, November 2, 2016. (Photo by Joy Lanzon Estrada) 154

The Philippine marine mammal strandings from 2005 to 2016

Plate 7. Risso's dolphin. Mabacong, Batangas City, October 19, 2016. (Photo by Dr Marco Espiritu)

Plate 8. Dugong, mother and calf. Brgy. Glan Padidu, Glan, Sarangani Province, September 1, 2016. (Photo by Gary John Cabinta)

155

The Philippine marine mammal strandings from 2005 to 2016

Plate 9. Blainville’s Beaked Whale. Sitio Sayad, Kachanariana, Basco, Batanes, July 15, 2016. (Photo taken from Cagayan Valley Region Status Report)

Plate 10. Bottlenose dolphin. Pangdan, Jagna, Bohol, January 22, 2016. (Photo taken from Region 7 Status Report)

156

The Philippine marine mammal strandings from 2005 to 2016

Plate 11. Pygmy sperm whale. Busuanga, Palawan, January 12, 2016. (Photo by C3 Philippines)

Plate 12. Spinner dolphin. Brgy. San Isidro, Babatngon, Leyte, December 10, 2014. (Photo by Ranulfo Docdocan).

157

The Philippine marine mammal strandings from 2005 to 2016

Plate 13. Sperm whale. Ungus Matata coast in Tandubas, Tawi-Tawi, April 20, 2015. (Photo by Gaite Jackaria)

158