Fraser's dolphins inhabit Sarangani Bay which serves as natural habitat for endangered marine mammals
GENERAL SANTOS CITY- The Department of Environment and Natural Resources has urged local government units within Sarangani Bay to help preserve the protected seascape which serves as natural habitat for endangered marine mammals including whales and dolphins.
DENR regional executive director Sabdullah Abubacar urged local government units in Sarangani Province and this city to strictly implement environmental protection laws to preserve the biodiversity of Sarangani Bay which had been threatened by wanton disposal of non-biodegradable
waste into the sea.
Abubacar, who is also the concurrent chair of the Protected Area Management Board of the Sarangani Bay Protected Seascape, renewed calls for the protection of Sarangani seascape after personnel from the Bureau of Fisheries and aquatic Resources and Sarangani Environmental Conservation and Protection Center monitored early this month the presence of various species of whales and dolphins off the waters of Malapatan and Glan towns in Sarangani.
The sea mammals recently sighted in Sarangani Bay include pygmy sperm and pygmy killer whales and spinner and Fraser dolphins which indicated that these sea creatures inhabit Sarangani Bay because of its pristine and unpolluted waters.
Dr. Rey Mejorada, a marine biologist of the ECPC, said the presence of endangered species of marine mammals in Sarangani Bay is a manifestation that there must be a need to protect and preserve Sarangani Bay which serves as a natural habitat for sea creatures.
He said the provincial government of Sarangani has provided funds for PAMB-Sarangani Bay Protected Seascape composed of various agencies of government tasked to intensify the monthly monitoring of activities within Sarangani Bay.
Rolando Tuballes, Sarangani provincial environment and natural resources officer, said his office in coordination with PAMB personnel from the Marine Mammal Management, are closely monitoring stranding marine mammals in the Sarangani Bay which are needing rescue and treatment.
He added that his office has been strictly enforcing the environmental protection laws in a bid to preserve and protect the purity and sanitation of Sarangani Bay
Abubacar ordered the personnel of the Environmental Management Bureau to closely monitor the illegal activities within Sarangani Bay and strictly enforce environmental laws against prospective violators.
He said local government units should strictly implement the Solid Waste Management Act to prevent the wanton disposal of waste and bio-degradable materials including plastic bottles, wrapper and cellophanes into the waters of Sarangani Bay.
Sarangani Gov. Steve Solon, who serves as vice-chair of PAMB-Sarangani Protected Seascape, assured to cooperate with the DENR in the preservation and protection of Sarangani Bay which is vital for the sustainable development of Sarangani and General Santos City.
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