National Committee on Marine Sciences (NCMS)
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- Interchange of humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) between northern Philippines and Ogasawara, Japan, has implications for conservationNakagun, Shotaro; Smoll, Laetitia I.; Sato, Takayuki; Layusa, Cynthia A. A.; Acebes, Jo Marie V. (CSIRO Publishing, 2020-03-12)Humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) in the western North Pacific breed in the Philippines and Japan, where there is relatively little scientific data available, leading to uncertainty about their population status and structure. This study investigates links between humpback whale populations in northern Philippines and Ogasawara, Japan, through a comparison of the most recent fluke identification catalogues. The Philippines catalogue (1999–2016) included 234 individuals, and the Ogasawara catalogue (1987–2014), 1389 individuals. The number of matched individuals was 86 (including 14 known females and 40 known males), corresponding to 36.8% of the Philippines and 6.2% of the Ogasawara catalogues. The findings included four within-season matches, with travel times as short as 25 days. The results suggest that a considerable portion of whales utilising Philippine waters pass through and also utilise the Ogasawara region, but the majority of whales found off Ogasawara either stay in that location, move to different breeding grounds, or remain out of the sampling area. Nevertheless, in light of the high site fidelity of individuals in the Philippines and Ogasawara area, as well as constant evidence of breeding activities, these regions are of importance to the lesser known western North Pacific subpopulation. Humpback whales migrating to this part of the world are estimated to be in relatively low abundance, therefore continued conservation attention is needed.
- Whale watching in 3 Bohol areas suspendedObedencio, Ric (Philippine Star Printing Co., Inc., 2025-02-05)The provincial government of Bohol has stopped all whale watching or interaction activities in Albuquerque, Dauis and Lila towns for alleged violation of the law. Bohol Gov. Aris Aumentado issued Executive Order (EO) 10, stating the activity in Alburquerque is being questioned as the whale watching site is reportedly located within the Albuquerque-Loay-Loboc protected area. The EO said that whale watching and interaction activities in all three areas are sanctioned by their respective local government units, but have no clearance from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).
- Boat hit by whale shark sinksMacairan, Evelyn (Philippine Star Printing Co., Inc., 2024-02-02)Two fishermen were rescued when their boat sank after it was hit by a whale shark early yesterday in Romblon. Edgardo Lozano, 60, and Harry Lozano, 51, were fishing in the waters off Barangay Cantagda in Cajidiocan town when their boat was struck by the shark, according to the Philippine Coast Guard. The PCG sub-station in Cajidiocan dispatched a search and rescue team after receiving a call about the incident.
- Whale shark rescued after beig trapped in fish cageMasculino, Glazyl Y. (Daily Guardian Multi-Media Services, Inc., 2022-11-16)A whale shark locally known as “butanding” was released to the waters after it was trapped in a fish cage in Barangay Banago here yesterday. Commander Joe Luviz Mercurio, head of Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) northern Negros Occidental, said they received a report around 7 a.m., prompting Coast Guard personnel to respond.
- Whale won’t leave coast, dies while being treatedSotelo, Yolanda (Philippine Daily Inquirer, Inc., 2016-10-07)Fishermen found the 2-meter long whale beached along Dasol Bay on Sept. 23 and brought it back to the sea. But it was sighted again in the afternoon on the same day so village officials decided to bring it to the BFAR facility in Alaminos City. Samantha Licudine, a BFAR veterinarian, said the whale had many scratches in the body and had a deep cut near its snout. “Maybe it was trying to escape from something so there was a laceration,” she said. The whale was given intensive medication and was under observation when it died.
- Whale nursed back to health in La UnionSotelo, Yolanda (Philippine Daily Inquirer, Inc., 2017-05-08)Sto. Tomas, La Union—In a concrete tank, “Agustina” swims feebly, aided by an orange floater from which it tries to wriggle away. Agustina is a female melon-headed whale that was stranded on a beach in the coastal village of San Agustin in San Fernando City on April 30. The 6.2-foot- (1.89 meters) long whale was rescued and brought to a Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) facility here on a Sunday when its tanks were empty and its staff was not around. The whale bore scratch marks all over its body and fins. It also had wounds which could have been inflicted by other creatures like sharks or when it hit rocks or was caught by a net, according to the BFAR staff.