Whale watching in Sarangani Bay

By Macky Macavinta

SARANGANI BAY (May 26, 2010) - As part of the Sarangani government'sadvocacy for the preservation of its bay, several members from theWorld Wildlife Fund (WWF), along with volunteers from the differentenvironmental agencies from government and non-government organizations and local tourism coordinators from the private sector,conducted a series of surveys in the identification and documentationof local marine mammal life in the area.

Led by WWF Philippines CEO Lorie Tan, the expedition team jumped offfrom the Tinoto wall in Maasim, for the second of a two-dayexpedition.The team spent almost 10 hours per day for two days aboarda boat circling the bay from Maasim to Kiamba to the off shores ofGlan in surveying the bay for sightings of marine mammals, such aswhales and dolphins.

Leaving the Tinoto docks early at 5:30am, the group was greeted withthe welcome sight of a pygmy sperm whale less than 30 minutes into thetrip and just off the coast of Maasim. Additional individual whales ofother species were sighted by noontime, proving that Sarangani Bay ishome and in abundance of these such marine mammals.

"We plan to hold this activity regularly as to have a better idea onthe habits of the local marine mammal community," said Michelle Solon,Sarangani Tourism Coordinator. "There have been numerous sightings ofsuch animals by the local residents but this is the first time that wehave confirmed it visually, and the presence of the WWF on this tripgreatly helps with proper documentation which was nonexistent before."

Members of the expedition went through a series of training, from thedifferent species of marine mammals and identifying each individual tothe preservation and protection of wildlife on May 22 which wasattended by the different environmental agencies of the localgovernment, volunteers from non-government organizations and localtourism agencies.

This expedition is a new addition to the series of activities for theadvocacy of the preservation and protection of Sarangani Bay and itsmarine culture.

In line with these events, environmentalist and painter Amado Saño,along with local artists, painted wall murals in different schools in Maasim and Kiamba which depict the plight of marine mammals worldwideand hopefully would raise the awareness of the local communities. Sañostarted creating his murals in March this year and has so far painted 600 dolphins in different walls, gates and residences across the country. He plans to accomplish 400 more in Sarangani within the nextfew days. As part of his advocacy, Saño's goal is to paint 23,000 dolphins across the country, to represent the number of dolphins slaughtered in a seven month period in Japan alone. (SARANGANIINFORMATION OFFICE)