05/08/2026
| ๐๐ซ๐ซ๐๐ฐ๐๐๐๐ฒ ๐๐จ๐ฅ๐ฉ๐ก๐ข๐ง๐ฌ ๐ฌ๐ข๐ ๐ก๐ญ๐๐ ๐ข๐ง ๐๐๐ง ๐๐ข๐ ๐ฎ๐๐ฅ ๐๐๐ฒ, ๐ฌ๐ญ๐๐ค๐๐ก๐จ๐ฅ๐๐๐ซ๐ฌ ๐๐จ๐จ๐ฌ๐ญ ๐๐จ๐ง๐ฌ๐๐ซ๐ฏ๐๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง ๐๐๐๐จ๐ซ๐ญ๐ฌ
The critically endangered Irrawaddy dolphin (๐๐ณ๐ค๐ข๐ฆ๐ญ๐ญ๐ข ๐ฃ๐ณ๐ฆ๐ท๐ช๐ณ๐ฐ๐ด๐ต๐ณ๐ช๐ด) has been sighted again in San Miguel Bay following a comprehensive marine mammal survey conducted by the University of the Philippines Institute of Environmental Science and Meteorology (UP IESM), in partnership with the Department of Agriculture โ Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Regional Office V (DA-BFAR 5) from July 26 to August 1, 2026.
The objective of the scientific assessment was to evaluate the population status, distribution, and habitat use of the species.
The presence of the dolphins was first detected through acoustic monitoring on July 27 near Sipocot, Camarines Sur, proving their presence in the bay prior to visual sightings. On July 29, researchers made direct visual contact with a pod of approximately nine Irrawaddy dolphins between Siruma and Tinambac, Camarines Sur. A second group consisting of about four individuals was observed in the same area on July 31, confirming consistent activity in these coastal waters.
Although vessel-based transects conducted on July 28 and 30 yielded no direct sightings, they provided vital environmental and spatial data. These habitat evaluations offer crucial insight into the species' movement patterns and ecological requirements, establishing a solid scientific foundation for future conservation planning and targeted protective measures.
The Irrawaddy dolphin is one of the most threatened marine mammals in the Philippines, with San Miguel Bay hosting one of only three known resident populations in the country, alongside Palawanโs Malampaya Sound and the IloiloโGuimarasโNegros Occidental waters.
Unlike open-ocean dolphins, Irrawaddy dolphins inhabit shallow coastal areas, estuaries, and river mouths, making them uniquely vulnerable to human activity, fishing gear entanglement, vessel traffic, pollution, and habitat degradation.
โWith small numbers and low reproduction rates, the loss of even a single dolphin threatens the population's survival. We urge continuous monitoring, stronger environmental protections, and sustainable fishing practices,โ said BFAR national director Elizer Salilig.
The conservation and increase in population of this iconic marine mammal ultimately hinges on close cooperation between government partners, researchers, LGUs, and local fishing communities. # # #
