A marine mammal, identified as pilot whale, was butchered by residents and fisherfolk in Sagasa island in Bien-Unido town per information gathered by Physalus, a non-government organization working for saving marine wildlife. It was not known what were the circumstances surrounding the dead whale. Efforts to contact Mayor Rey Nino Boniel for comments proved futile. Physalus also had no details about the incident, whether it was a case of stranding or otherwise, said Dr. Alessandro Ponzo, president of Physalus. A photo taken of the whale revealed that residents look like feasting on the whale in bloodbath. It was not known who were responsible in the slaughter of the marine mammal.

On the same vein, Physalus and fishermen successfully rescued and released the stranded 4.2 meter-long male whale shark (Rhincodon typus), popularly known as “Balilan” in vernacular with the presence of Jagna municipal and Cantagay barangay officials led by Mayor Fortunato Abrenilla and barangay captain Joel Rosario, respectively, and municipal agriculturist Roderick Virtuozzo. Per report of the Physalus and the Bureau of Fishery and Aquatic Resources (BAFR), the whale shark was entangled in a fishing net of Nerio Jacob and brought it ashore. Meanwhile, Bohol Environment Management Office (BEMO), BFAR and Physalus joined hands last Friday at BFAR office in convening a meeting of core members to review and make recommendations for the proposed Executive Order, reconstituting the composition of the Bohol Rescue Unit for Marine Mammals (BRUMM).

The convenors, including Ponzo and BFAR provincial officer Cres Pahamutang, have proposed in changing the BRUMM to Bohol Rescue Unit for Marine Wildlife or BRUMW and defining the functions of the unit. The proposed BRUMW has expanded the membership of the unit, including the coastal 30 municipalities and other national agencies. The expansion of the BRUMW was prompted to quickly respond to marine wildlife, including endangered sea turtles, stranded in Bohol seawaters based on the documented stranding cases, said the BEMO. According to the proposed EO, which finalized and after consultation to be signed by Gov. Edgar M. Chatto, 14 out of 28 marine mammal species present in Philippine seawaters are being documented or sighted in Bohol. (RVO)