Dolphins, whales become “Fiesta-fare” for tourists

WHEN there's food festival on the Boholano tables in May, dolphins and whales here are also offered for tourists and conservationists, not on the tables however. In fact, this May, dolphins' and whales' have reasons to celebrate too. Their survival chances go up as Bohol environmentalists make sure the seawaters off Pamilacan becomes hospitable to the marine guests and residents.

Pamilacan seawaters, then an area rife with slaughter owing to the age-old “pamilak” whale-hunting has now become a haven for spinner and bottle-nosed dolphins and migrating cetaceans. The seawaters off Pamilacan Island in Baclayon has been an identified area where 13 of the 26 species of dolphins and whales in the country were sighted, says Econature, a non-government organization assisting communities in Pamilacan.

The dolphins and whales on this part of Bohol however are facing imminent danger by catch, stranding or beaching and unregulated tourism operations. The first Dolphin Festival in Bohol , a Month of the Ocean highlight hopes to attain just that by involving stakeholders of the whale watching industry in keeping the safety of dolphins and whales on top of their concerns.

This year's festival brings here a noted cetacean scientist, Dr. Louella Dolar-Perrin from Tropical Marine Research Institute in San Diego California to speak on life processes of whales, dolphins and conservation issues. She will also be the key resource in organizing the mulled Cetacean Patrol to the Rescue (CPR). More on this, Econature with Environmental Legal Assistance Center and the Bohol Environment Management Office would also relaunch the Bohol Rescue Unit for Marine Mammals (BRUMM) and another environmental conservation group; Conservation Allies.

“We realized that if we slaughter a whale for P200T pesos now, we only get that amount. But if we keep them here and let tourists see it for a fee, all throughout the year, we'll get more than that amount,” shares Dolphin Watch Pamilacan operator Leo Sumalpong. Dolphin Watch Pamilacan and Pamilacan Island Boat Operators and Spotters Association are the only groups with acknowledged permits to operate dolphin and whale watching tours. Some fly-by-night operators however offer the same tours to the risk of tourists.

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