Report of the Second Workshop on The Biology and Conservation of ...

Status and Incidence Of Irrawaddy By-Catch in Malampaya Sounddel Valle, Lemmuel G.; Aquino, Terry R.WWF-Philippiines, 3 WESCOM Road, Puerto Princesa City 5300, Palawan, PhilippinesBased on primary and secondary data, a total <strong>of</strong> nine confirmed and unconfirmed reports <strong>of</strong>Irrawaddy dolphin (Orcaella brevirostris) mortalities were recorded to have occurred in 2000and 2001. Of <strong>the</strong> seven mortalities that supposedly occurred in 2001, <strong>the</strong> team was able toidentify four cases that appeared to be distinctive <strong>of</strong> each o<strong>the</strong>r. The cause <strong>of</strong> death in three out<strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>se four distinct mortalities was determined to be drowning due to matang quatro (gillnet)entanglement. Although <strong>the</strong> rate <strong>of</strong> matang quatro-related dolphin mortality appeared to be high,it was concluded that <strong>the</strong> threat <strong>of</strong> dolphin by-catch was not limited to this specific fishing gearand that fur<strong>the</strong>r conservation activities should also look at <strong>the</strong> threat posed by o<strong>the</strong>r fishing geartypes, especially o<strong>the</strong>r forms <strong>of</strong> gillnets, used in <strong>the</strong> Sound.Given that <strong>the</strong> estimated size <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> dolphin population in Malampaya Sound is only 60 individuals,<strong>the</strong> 2001 mortalities are more than <strong>the</strong> population can afford. Considering this and <strong>the</strong> fact that<strong>the</strong> Malampaya habitat faces o<strong>the</strong>r threats in various forms, it is strongly recommended that <strong>the</strong>Malampaya population be listed as critically endangered under <strong>the</strong> IUCN red data, its existencebe recognized by BFAR through <strong>the</strong> immediate amendment <strong>of</strong> FAO 208 and that <strong>the</strong> Philippinegovernment take an active role in its conservation. As <strong>of</strong> writing, WWF Philippines has alreadyproposed <strong>the</strong> creation <strong>of</strong> an Irrawaddy task force in <strong>the</strong> Municipality <strong>of</strong> Taytay which has legaljurisdiction over Malampaya Sound. O<strong>the</strong>r community-based conservation-linked activities have,likewise, been initiated in <strong>the</strong> area. These, however, are small steps towards <strong>the</strong> long journey <strong>of</strong>conserving <strong>the</strong> Irrawaddy population in <strong>the</strong> Sound.<strong>Second</strong> <strong>Workshop</strong> on <strong>the</strong> Biology and Conservation <strong>of</strong> Small Cetaceans and Dugongs <strong>of</strong> SE Asia 137