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Immediately after, I connected with a friend from WWF, no other than Lory Tan, CEO and Vice Chairperson of World Wildlife Fund in the Philippines.  In the midst of this confirmation, we pinned down a date --  May 22-24 for the Marine Mammal Training for Sarangani.

On May 22 we were joined by the group from DENR Regional team, Bureau of Fisheries, Municipal Environmental Officers, the General Santos City Environmental Officers, Staff and On the job trainees of Environmental Conservation & Protection Center, Philippine Coast Guard, Sarangani Tourism group, NGOs and volunteers from Manila and Cetecean experts on the field. We had the privilege of having sessions Dr. Jom Acebes, Elson Aca, whale boy A.G. Sano, and Lory Tan.  

The training confirmed that Sarangani Bay is indeed abundant with whales and dolphins. In the next 2 days, we expect to identify what we have in the Bay.  Our survey is definitely a discipline because we were at Lemlunay by 5 am and ready to board the pump boat.  Our schedule was set for us to be  out from 5 am until 3 pm in the afternoon.  We had to bring our binoculars, sun block and get ready to be as observant as possible. Each one had to take 1 hour turns to be watchers.

(Photo by Toby Martin)

Sarangani Bay indeed did not disappoint us. On the first day of our survey we found Frigid Birds flying around and taking their fish fresh from the ocean.  We see the ecosystem at work when a fisherman speeds toward where birds are flocking.  Fishing a bigger fish is almost sure... because where there are smaller fish, bigger ones are swimming around and eating the smaller ones.  Sarangani Bay is filled with this rich biodiversity and action!

But nothing gets your adrenalin higher than seeing the actual marine mammal right in the wild.  The first sightings was a huge pod of about 15-20 Risso's dolphins... What was wonderful was seeing a mother and calf swimming.. Other dolphins breaching (or jumping up in mid-air), and the others were so playful they even waved using their fluke (tail).  It was an amazing sight!

Sarangani in 2 days had a total of six sightings in different locations from the mouth to inside the bay.  The species confirmed in 2 survey days were the Pygmy Sperm whale, Dwarf Sperm whale, and the Risso's dolphins.  As for the Orcas they were not sighted in those 2 days. However, its not the end of the its story.  Dr. Jom Acebes a cetecean expert, proceeded to Balut island. On her approach, she confirmed a sighting of three orca whales.  Many don't believe what we are saying, but more and more there are sightings of orcas in the Philippines. There are also confirmed sightings in Negros Oriental.  

It tells us that the Philippines including Sarangani Bay could be a more probable and safe areas for these marine mammals to thrive.  It tells us that we need to protect them, we need to keep our waters healthy for them exist among us.  For Sarangani, this discovery is a definite treasure.  We hope that by early next year we can offer whale and dolphin watching as a tourism activity for tourists to learn and enjoy!

Written by: Michelle Solon

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The Eco-Mismo roadshow finally hit Mindanao with Soccsksargen as the region to host this conference.  Former President Fidel Ramos together with his team from RPDEV Foundation gathered experts in the tourism field to share their knowledge on the trends and good practices in Eco-Tourism.

Speakers such as Dr. Lory Tan of WWF, former Secretary of Tourism Narzalina Lim, Mariglo Laririt of Ten Knots of Palawan were among those who took time to update the region about Eco-tourism in this present days.  Cornering on topics that are most relevant especially to those whose investments are on tourism and who rely on natural resources as their main product for tourism.

A workshop was held in Sarangani with both the private and government sector to discuss 3 main topics:  Investment Promotion, Product Development, and Preservation of Natural and Cultural Heritage.  The workshop brought about key points that the private sector  together with its young Governor Migs Dominguez will have to address to make the tourism industry more viable.

 Former President Fidel Ramos encouraged everyone that We can do it together as the crowd follows with "Kaya Natin To".

This successful conference also overflowed to Koronadal City and was also another successful conference.

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The Sarangani Bay Festival celebrates the Ocean month by pitching in an awareness program to local fisherfolk about the effects of the Crown of Thorns otherwise known as "Dap-ag". Over 36 Fishermen attended the forum and several of them joined the Dap-ag collection at Lago, Glan.  

(Photo by Jesus Tinapay of Davao Camera Club)

Crown of thorns are predatory starfishes that eat corals.  Many studies have been made on why there is such an outbreak of crown of thorns. One theory states that more human activity affecting the ocean could possibly cause plankton growth, increasing the CoTs viability to live and reproduce.

There is indeed a need for CoTs to be controlled, and one of the measures is to remove them from the ocean.

The Sarangani Bayfest activity done in Lago harvested a total of 272 Crown of Thorns for just a one-hour collection period. Each fisherman was given P5.00 incentive per CoT.  The youngest one who joined is an 8 year old boy from Glan, named John. SMART Foundation who was very happy with the outcome, gave him an additional P500.00 to encourage him and other youth to participate in saving our eco-system.

(Photo by Jesus Tinapay of Davao Camera Club)

Sarangani Bay still needs more of this kind of activity.  Chris Dearne from Tuna City Divers also participated and suggested to continue with the program.  Support from the General Santos City Environment & Natural Resource Office (CENRO), MSU students, from ECPC (Environmental Conservation and Protection Center), SMART Foundation, Alcantara Foundation, Rotary Club, Sumajit Family, and Go Sarangani Travel, made this activity possible.

 (In Photo is Chris Dearne with his CoT's.  Photo taken by Jesus Tinapay of Camera Club Davao)

 The Provincial Environment & Natural Resource Office (PENRO) together with ECPC, and the with support of other NGO's committed to do this activity in other parts of Sarangani.

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     Proclamation No.1481 dated April 10, 2008 and Proclamation No. 57 dated January 9, 1999, declares April 22 of every year as the Philippine’s Earth Day, and the Month of May as the Month of the Ocean in the Philippines, respectively.

     This year May 11-14, 2009 many marine scientists will converge to the World Ocean Conference in Manado, Indonesia to discuss the pressing environmental issues that affect the ocean today. Simultaneous to this event is the Coral Triangle Initiative (CTI) where heads of states, including the President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, commit to implementing proactive programs together with the private sector, international agencies, and NGO partners in safeguarding and supporting sustainable growth of the marine environment of the BIMP EAGA countries.

     However, not everybody can go to Manado for this big event. But each one of us can make a significant difference today.  Change is stimulated by the small and big inputs of each individual... For instance the following can be done by us individually.

1. Proper disposal of garbage - segregating garbage will make it easier for us to recycle the non-biodegrable garbage. Meanwhile, biodegrable garbage can be used for compost which can be used for organic farming.

2. Conservation of Energy - There is no doubt that the increase in industry also means an increase need for power. However, the conservation of energy just by closing lights, unplugging electric appliances from sockets can reduce the energy consumption. 

3.  Joining local environmental activities - Local governments and civic organizations want individuals to get involved.  Coastal clean-ups, planting of mangroves, tree planting activities, are just one of the few activities we can participate in.

     This year, the Sarangani Bay Festival invites you to learn together with other local fisherfolk of Glan about the world wide problem of the reef. The Crown of Thorns (CoT) is a variety of starfish (acanthasther planci) that preys on coral polyps and kill the corals. An outbreak of CoTs will endanger the natural habitat of reef fish which in turn will highly affect the livelihood of our fishermen.

    Crown of Thorns have natural predators such as the Giant Triton, Harlequin shrimp and bumphead wrasse.  Its such a pity that Giant Triton's shell are so lucrative to sell, that instead of keeping them in the ocean they are picked out of the sea.  The Napolean wrasse is sited in the Sarangani Bay's Marine sanctuary in Maasim. It is a pre-historic fish that remains to be an endangered specie today. But if we can protect them and their environment we will be able to control the Crown of Thorns.

     The Provincial Environment & Natural Resource Office (PENRO) will be launching their program to help educate fishermen and start a sustainable program of removing Crown of Thorns in the Sarangani Bay.  These efforts will help the development of coral reefs of the Sarangani Bay. The sustainability in the eco-system will translate to economic benefits for the fishermen of the Bay.  If you are interested to learn more about Crown of Thorns and how to participate in saving our ocean, please join us this May 29, 2009 at Tango, Glan this Sarangani Bay Fest.

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