Whale Shark Stranding in Maribulan, Alabel, Sarangani Province

A whale shark stranding was reported by the Provincial Governor’s Office in the shores ofSACI Wharf, Maribulan, Alabel, SaranganiProvince last March 5, 2010 at around 2:30 p.m. The staff of the Environmental Conservation and Protection Center (ECPC), together with the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (PENRO), went to respond to the stranding and confirm the identity of the organism.

The 4.75-m long, juvenile butanding, as what whale sharks are locally known, was unintentionally caught and dragged ashore in a 300-m net, which was laid perpendicular to the shore at a depth of approximately 6 feet. Close inspection of the animal revealed a number of scratches in some parts of its body, especially on the dorsal portion. It was also noted that there were at least three scars found in dorsal fin and a triangular cut was observed at tip of its tail. Since the butanding was still alive and can function normally, the team decided to tow it (with the help of some locals) to deeper water for release to the open sea. Moreover, it was also noted that there were at least three documented whale shark strandings/sightings in the area within the past four years. Sightings/stranding in the area may have been caused by its feeding behavior – they are often found in areas of where food is abundant. A previous study during a sighting revealed that the water in the area have high plankton content, especially that of krill (a shrimp-like crustacean), which is one of the preferred diet of a butanding. The ECPC team shall schedule yet a monitoring regime in order to pinpoint the main (and other) reasons for the stranding/sighting.

Whale sharks (Rhincodon typus) were among the largest animal in the planet and is considered as the largest fish in the world, growing up to 20 meters and weigh of up to 34, 000 kilograms. They are characterized by a massive and long body, with white or yellow round spots (which are now used for identification and monitoring), and their skin is considered as the thickest among all animals. Although a butanding has a wide and big mouth, it only feeds by filtering planktons through a fine mesh in their gill-rakers. These gentle giants pose no harm to human; however, whale sharks are now threatened and are classified by the World Conservation’s Union (IUCN) as ‘vulnerable to extinction’^[1].

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¹ Tim Winton. ECOCEAN Brochure. www.whaleshark.org

on Coral Taxonomy

Way back college days, I was more inclined and interested in learning about marine plants, specifically seagrass and marine macroalgae.. more with marine macroalgae, i believe. Then, I was so fascinated with seagrass and macroalgal biology and ecology -- their chemical defense mechanisms, significance to the marine environment, and commercial importance to human. I was so into marine plants that my undergraduate thesis was focused on the review of the chemical ecology of three seagrass species that are found here in Sarangani (eleven seagrass species are found to be present in the Bay), namely, Thalassodendron ciliatum, Syringodium isoetifolium, and Thalassia hemprichii.

It was when I started to work for the Center that my field of specialization was altered. To an extent that I could hardly believe. Here, I was intoduced to the rather complex and intricate world of corals, more specifically, coral taxonomy. In fact, it was along this field of specialization that I've found one of my dearest friend: Ate Bhebz, who's also a coral specialist. She was the one who informed me that the GEF Coral Taxonomy Project, which is based at UP Marine Science Institute's Bolinao Marine Lab (BML) have been conducting coral taxonomy training. It was last year, around October, i suppose. Sadly though, I wasn't included to the approved list of participants because along the screening process, it was learned that I've also applied for the Sea Cucumber Ranching Project Research Assistantship. Conflict of interest. It was a complete heartbreaker, i really cried hard. Really hard. But then again, I have to move on. Though I was left wounded, I gathered myself up and started to do my own research for a more precise identification of corals. I've actually done this months before the said training. But the denial for my attendance on the said training gave more fuel to drive. However, my identification of corals is limited only to genus level. Can't help it. I've only meager resources. Assuredly, I won't stop studying and learning.

Porites sp.

Foliaceous Pachyseris sp.

Fire coral, Millepora sp.

Turbinaria sp. with extended polyps.

Mycedium sp.

Pectinia sp.

Foliaceous Pectinia sp. (yellow) and tabulate Acropora sp.

Euphyllia sp. with polyps retracted and extended.

Submassive Acropora sp. (although I've heard it's re-classified into Isopora sp.)

Coral Reefs: We need a chance!

Coral reef at Kamanga, Maasim, Sarangani Province.

I really feel sorry for our coral reefs. Like any other coastal ecosystem, they are in the brink of irrepressible and inevitable peril.

A gorgonian.

For years, coral reefs have been providing unequivocal and tangible services towards the environment, and most especially to man (i.e. food security through fisheries production, tourism like diving, coastal defense from storms, reduction of soil erosion)[1].

A couple of fish taking time to be photographed.

However, for the past years, this resource is in foreboding danger, being bombarded with global problems (ocean acidification due to increase in carbon dioxide; coral bleaching and rise in sea-levelas caused by global warming; and low fisheries yield as caused by overfishing) and local threats (crown-of-thorns starfish infestation/outbreaks; algal blooms; increase in number and prevalence of diseases such as white-band disease; cyclone damage, etc.) [1].

Crown-of-thorns starfish (the one with thorny projections found over the coral) devouring a coral (Pectinia sp.?)

Until recently, their significance to man’s lives were overlooked, misled by the notion that its bounty will never be depleted, that this is an infinite resource.

Shampoo sachet in the midst of a foliaceous coral (Echinopora sp.).

Diapers: babies must have been living underwater. Mermaids perhaps?

Bits and pieces of cellophanes all over a sponge.

A coral reef is a finite and fragile resource. Like everything around us, it should be utilized sparingly, with an utmost sense of decency to leave something more from that of those that were left for us by our forefathers; such that the next generation will be able to have a better feel of the services that this ecosystem provides us.. for that, I know they will really appreciate us and perhaps, with a better perspective, they may be able to pass it on to the next generation to the next as our reefs gets better to best. The only thing they ask from us is:

Please, give us a chance.

Literature cited: [1] Mumby, P. J., and R. S. Steneck. 2008. Coral reef management and conservation in light of rapidly evolving ecological paradigms.