Originally posted in the Aquatic Mammals Journal Facebook Page
A rare ginkgo-toothed beaked whale (Mesoplodon ginkgodens) was stranded alive in Subic Bay (Luzon) on April 19, 2010. Annual stranding frequencies in the Philippines generally increased from 29 in 2005-2007 to 106 in 2020-2022. (Photo credit: PMMSN)”
In the most recent issue of Aquatic Mammals, Lemnuel V. Aragones, Alessandra Nicole L. Morado, Marie Christine M. Obusan, Honey Leen M. Laggui, Jonah L. Bondoc, Leo Jonathan A. Suarez, and Ewen Kye Lawler present their review of the spatiotemporal variation of stranded marine mammals in the Philippines from 2005 to 2022. This is an OPEN ACCESS article.
Dr. Lem Aragones shares “The Philippines is an archipelagic nation of more than 7,600 islands that are home to a diverse assemblage of marine mammals. There have been few studies here, however. Our team assessed spatial and temporal changes in marine mammal strandings in the Philippines, and the species stranded in the Philippine territory 2005-2022. Stranding hotspots were identified to inform designated local government units (LGUs) about the implications of the strandings for marine mammal conservation and management. Concerned LGUs then can be proactive in addressing marine mammal strandings.
Read more: Spatiotemporal Variation of Stranded Marine Mammals in the Philippines from 2005 to 2022: Latest Stranding Hotspots and Species Stranding Status