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

10) Surveys <strong>of</strong> o<strong>the</strong>r sites in <strong>the</strong> Philippines thatmay harbor Irrawaddy dolphins.11) Strategic survey <strong>of</strong> new sites for identification<strong>of</strong> species, threatened populations and habitats,and important conservation sites.12) Sustained monitoring <strong>of</strong> areas that are knownto have cetacean takes.13) Socio-economic studies <strong>of</strong> fisheries withsignificant cetacean by-catch, and possibledevelopment <strong>of</strong> alternative livelihoods and whalewatching.14) Levels and effects <strong>of</strong> pollutants onpopulations.15) Expansion <strong>of</strong> stranding networks to supportresearch objectives and conservation goals.16) Association <strong>of</strong> rough-too<strong>the</strong>d dolphins inBabuyan Islands with Taiwanese long-line fishery.17) Genetic study <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Irrawaddy dolphinpopulation in Malampaya Sound.18) Broadscale surveys throughout <strong>the</strong> Philippinesto obtain information on <strong>the</strong> pattern <strong>of</strong> distributionand abundance <strong>of</strong> dugongs as a basis for sites atwhich to develop community based conservationand management strategies.Bohol Sea cetacean populations are highlightedby a Pamilacan-based organization called <strong>the</strong>Pamilacan Island Dolphin and Whale WatchingOrganization (PIDWWO). Although <strong>the</strong> Bohol Seaalso <strong>of</strong>fers visitors <strong>the</strong> possibility <strong>of</strong> observinglarge cetaceans, such as sperm and Bryde’swhales, it is more exposed to wind than Tañonand has a shorter season; i.e., April to June. Tourswere reportedly also conducted in Cagayan deOro, Misamis Oriental under <strong>the</strong> Department <strong>of</strong>Tourism (Region X) and <strong>the</strong> Mindanao MarineWildlife Watch (MMWW), a government-ledorganization composed <strong>of</strong> LGUs in <strong>the</strong> provinces<strong>of</strong> Misamis Oriental and Camiguin, local andnational NGO’s and academia.Among <strong>the</strong> surveyed sites, Balayan Bay in Batangas,Lagonoy Gulf in Albay, Honda Bay in Palawan,Camiguin Island <strong>of</strong>f nor<strong>the</strong>rn Mindanao and <strong>the</strong>Babuyan Islands <strong>of</strong>f nor<strong>the</strong>rn Luzon possessmany characteristics required for development aswhale/dolphin watching destinations. MalampayaSound’s Irrawaddy dolphins certainly haveecotourism potential. However, <strong>the</strong> extremelysmall size <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> population precludes <strong>the</strong>advisability <strong>of</strong> boat-based trips. Dolphinwatching on <strong>the</strong> sound should be confined toland-based observation. Dolphin watching isalso being considered as a potential alternate orcomplementary tourism activity to an alreadyestablished whale shark interaction tourism inDonsol, Sorsogon.Present and potential whale and dolphinwatching operationsThe best-organized whale/dolphin watchingoperations in <strong>the</strong> Philippines are located inTañon Strait. Currently, tours are available atBais, Manjuyod, and Dumaguete on Negros.The exceptional cetacean diversity <strong>of</strong> Tañon,coupled with a relatively long season, i.e., Aprilto late October, easy access and good hotels,have added to <strong>the</strong> popularity <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> area. TheThe Department <strong>of</strong> Tourism has expressed interestin establishing a network <strong>of</strong> whale/dolphinwatching sites throughout <strong>the</strong> Philippines.2.1.10 SingaporeJefferson reported that a directed researchprogram on marine mammals in Singapore’scoastal waters (Singapore Wild Marine MammalSurvey - SWiMMS) was started by <strong>the</strong> NationalUniversity <strong>of</strong> Singapore in 1996. However,<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 61