Conservation of biodiversity in the Guimaras Strait was initiated in 2009 by Dr. Ma. Louella Dolar of Silliman University. It began with the discovery of a population of the critically endangered Irrawaddy Dolphin (Orcaella brevirostris), a species in the Philippines thus far known only from Palawan and the waters of the Guimaras Strait enclosed by southeastern Panay, Guimaras Island, and northwestern Negros. In the Guimaras Strait, another marine mammal, the sea cow or Dugong, has also been reported earlier by Dolar and her research team to be threatened because of its rarity. The conservation of these two marine mammals is now seriously considered by the local government units of the municipalities on Guimaras (Buenavista), Iloilo (Leganes, Zaraga, Dumagas), and in Negros Occidental (Pulupandan, Bago City). The primary element of this conservation plan is the improvement of the habitat.
For a species to survive, it must have a healthy habitat. The Guimaras Strait is far from being an ideal environment for these two threatened species. The findings of the research group that surveyed the environment in which they are found indicate the presence of threats to the lives of the two mammals. These threats must be addressed, and the local governments are the primary units of government that could determine whether these species will live or die and vanish from our seas.
Both species of mammals are represented by very few individuals in the Guimaras Strait. The Irrawaddy Dolphin, which reproduces once in 3-4 years, is represented by only 25-30 individuals, a number considered not sufficient to ensure its genetic heterogeneity required for future survival. Although the present population of the sea cow has not been determined, it is clear that there are only very few left, less than 50 individuals, and are considered not a viable population number for long term survival of a sexually-reproducing species. Therefore on population size alone, it is clear that these two species will be extinct in the near future if no human interventions are made at this time.
The question why these two coastal marine mammals should be conserved is one for people to debate on. But it is clear that Irrawaddy dolphins throughout their geographic range have been shown to inhabit river mouths and coastal areas at the edge of human habitations. In many instances, they have been forced out of this narrow fringe of habitable space by the expansion of human populations. In the case of the population of dolphins in the Guimaras Strait, evidence indicates a wider range including its presence in the Iloilo River in the past, but this range has contracted recently.
On grounds of ethics therefore, should not humans consider this species their neighbors that we are to love? Love your neighbors as yourself is the first commandment, the Bible tells us. This is the time to show this love.
Dolphin conservation will not only result in the survival of the species. It will also be beneficial to the environment in terms of enhanced productivity of resources useful to humans.
Workshops were held in Bago City, Negros Occidental and in Buenavista, Guimaras on March 3-4, 2014 participated in by local government officials to plan for the protection and conservation of the Irrawaddy Dolphin in the Guimaras Strait. Both local governments agreed on measures to improve the habitats of the dolphins in both places. Details of this agreement should soon result in concrete actions to implement the agreement.
We thank the local government officials in Bago City, Negros Occidental and in Buenavista, Guimaras for their cooperation, deep concern and understanding of the needs of our important biodiversity species for which our country is well known.
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Author’s email: suakcrem@yahoo.com
