Monday, May 05, 2008 Mayor fears disappearance of dolphins in Tañon Strait By Victor L. Camion
BAIS CITY -- Mayor Hector Villanueva expressed fears over the decreasing number of dolphins in Tañon Strait.
Villanueva feared they might lose their most treasured tourist attraction in Bais City. The city has been known for its dolphin watching over the years.
The decreasing number of dolphins in Tañon Strait might affect tourism, the mayor said.
He, however, admitted that the influx of tourists in the area has also been affected with the diminishing number of dolphins. Bais has tourist bookings since last year but he expected a decrease of visitors next year.
Based on observations of city tourism officials, he said, only five to six dolphins appear along Tañon Strait even during fair weather.
Some dolphins appear at a distance but disappear upon hearing the sound of motorboats, Villanueva said.
"We are alarmed by the situation," he said.
He explained they used to hear dolphins whistling while swimming and playing along the motorboats. This has lured local and foreign tourists in the past.
The mayor believed the decreasing number of dolphins in Tañon Strait could be due to the exploration of the Japan Petroleum Exploration (Japex) and Department of Energy (DOE) in the area.
The exploration started in November last year. It was extended to search for possible oil deposits in the area.
Villanueva opposed the extension of exploration, arguing it might affect the sensitive hearing of dolphins in Tañon Strait.
Quoting the initial study by marine scientists from the University of the Philippines (UP) in Dilliman, Quezon City, he said the strait has seven types of dolphin species before the exploration started.
A recent study revealed, Villanueva said, that only two dolphin species were found in the area.
The group of marine scientist from Silliman University, headed by former environment secretary Dr. Angel Alcala, has gathered the same report.
Villanueva said he already submitted a written report to President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo during her visit in Dumaguete City last week.
The mayor, however, admitted that the result of the initial study is not yet conclusive.
In this connection, the mayor, in cooperation with Silliman Marine scientists, will conduct a study to come up with a final report.
Dr. Alcala, in the separate interview, also admitted that his group failed to gather concrete evidence regarding the result of the oil exploration.
The next study is scheduled in July, Dr. Alcala said.
Meanwhile, Provincial Board member Melimore Saycon expressed concerns over the report of the diminishing dolphins in Tañon Strait.
Saycon, who also hails from Bais City, stressed that the dolphins are part of the history and culture of the province. He does not, however, believed that their disappearance was due to the recent exploration in Tañon Strait.
Saycon, as vice chairman of the committee on environment of the Provincial Board, was sent by Governor Emilio Macias II to represent him in the Multi-partite Monitoring Team (MMT) on the oil exploration off the seas of Aloguinsan and Pinamungajan, Cebu.
Saycon said dolphins and other marine mammals were not affected by the exploration.
He also cited that some dolphins frequented the exploration area.
He further said there is no report of dying dolphins due to exploration.
Saycon, however, believed some dolphins transferred to other areas to seek food.
He stressed that commercial fishing in Tañon Strait is the main competitors of dolphins in catching fishes.
