Keep oceans, seas plastic-free after death of whale off Compostela Valley

THE BUREAU of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) appealed to the public to keep the oceans and seas free from plastic and other harmful pollutants following the recent death of a Cuvier’s beaked whale off Compostela Valley province.

BFAR said the demise of the whale is somehow a result of improper wastes disposal. The whale, about 15 feet long and seven feet wide, was found stranded on March 15 along the coastline of Cadunan village in Mabini town. The mammal is considered an endangered species and world’s deepest-diving mammal.

Several attempts to properly ferry the beached whale to deeper waters were made, however, despite these efforts, the mammal returned to shallow waters where its condition further deteriorated and eventually died.

A necropsy was performed on the whale and BFAR said it collected tissue samples for scientific determination of other possible causes of death through a series of histopathologic tests. The initial diagnosis of death is ingestion of at least 88 pounds of foreign objects, mostly of plastics, pending the complete result of necropsy.

The animal’s remains are now undergoing preservation process and its bones will be preserved for educational exhibit purposes. Following this incident, we urge the general public and all concerned government entities to support the Malinis at Masaganang Karagatan, a holistic program of the BFAR, which would ensure that our seas and oceans are free of plastics and other harmful pollutants. (Lilybeth Ison)

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