PMMSN_3rd Technical Report Year 2019-2020

Marine mammal strandings in the Philippines from 2019 to 2020
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Table of Contents ................................................................................................................................... 3

List of Figures .......................................................................................................................................... 4
List of Tables ........................................................................................................................................... 7
Acknowledgements ................................................................................................................................ 8
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ........................................................................................................................... 9
INTRODUCTION .................................................................................................................................... 11
METHODS ............................................................................................................................................. 12
RESULTS ................................................................................................................................................ 13
General trends of stranding events in the Philippines .................................................................... 13
Region I (Ilocos Region) ................................................................................................................. 25
Region II (Cagayan Valley) ............................................................................................................ 31
Region III (Central Luzon) .............................................................................................................. 37
Region IV-A (CALABARZON) .......................................................................................................... 43
Region IV-B (MIMAROPA) ............................................................................................................. 49
Region V (Bicol Region) ................................................................................................................. 54
Region VI (Western Visayas) ......................................................................................................... 61
Region VII (Central Visayas) .......................................................................................................... 67
Region VIII (Eastern Visayas)......................................................................................................... 73
Region IX (Zamboanga Peninsula) ................................................................................................ 79
Region X (Northern Mindanao) ..................................................................................................... 85
Region XI (Davao Region).............................................................................................................. 91
Region XII (SOCCSKSARGEN) ......................................................................................................... 97
Region XIII (Caraga Region) ........................................................................................................ 103
BARMM (Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao) ........................................... 109
DISCUSSION ........................................................................................................................................ 115
Fishnet Tool - Identified hotspot municipalities/cities .................................................................... 115
The REGIONAL hotspots in 2019-2020 ............................................................................................ 115
High annual stranding frequencies recorded in 2019-2020 – Part of Plateau ................................ 116
Species composition & the critically endangered dugong .............................................................. 116
Refloat/Release and Rehabilitation ................................................................................................ 116
SUMMARY .......................................................................................................................................... 117
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References .......................................................................................................................................... 119

Appendix............................................................................................................................................. 121
Plates .................................................................................................................................................. 122
A COLLECTION of Marine Mammal Stranding Photos for 2019.................................................... 122
A COLLECTION of Marine Mammal Stranding Photos for 2020.................................................... 135
LIST OF FIGURES
Figure 1. Number of strandings within each 15 x 15 km grid using 2005-2020 dataset. ..................... 15
Figure 2. Stranding events recorded from 2005 to 2020. ..................................................................... 17
Figure 3. Categories of strandings in year 2019 to 2020. ..................................................................... 17
Figure 4. Disposition of stranded marine mammals from 2019 to 2020. ............................................. 18
Figure 5. Age class of stranded marine mammals from 2019 to 2020. ................................................ 18
Figure 6. Sex of stranded marine mammals from 2019 to 2020. ......................................................... 19
Figure 7. Stranded marine mammal species from 2019 to 2020. ......................................................... 20
Figure 8. Stranding frequency per region from 2019 to 2020............................................................... 21
Figure 9. Stranding frequency per province from 2019 to 2020. .......................................................... 22
Figure 10. Stranding frequency by monsoon by region from 2019 to 2020. ........................................ 23
Figure 11. Stranding frequency by season by region from 2019 to 2020. ............................................ 24
Figure 12. Distribution of strandings from 2019 to 2020 in Ilocos Region............................................ 26
Figure 13. Number of strandings within 15 x 15 km from 2005 to 2020 in Ilocos Region. ................... 27
Figure 14. Strandings per province from 2019 and 2020 in Ilocos Region. ........................................... 28
Figure 15. Monsoonal distribution of strandings from 2019 and 2020 in Ilocos Region. ..................... 28
Figure 16. Seasonal distribution of strandings from 2019 and 2020 in Ilocos Region. ......................... 29
Figure 17. Monthly distribution of strandings from 2019 and 2020 in Ilocos Region. .......................... 29
Figure 18. Stranded marine mammal species from 2019 and 2020 in Ilocos Region. .......................... 30
Figure 19. Stranding event categories from 2019 and 2020 in Ilocos Region....................................... 30
Figure 20. Distribution of strandings from 2019 to 2020 in Cagayan Valley Region. ........................... 32
Figure 21. Number of strandings within 15 x 15 km from 2005 to 2020 in Cagayan Valley Region. ... 33
Figure 22. Strandings per province from 2019 and 2020 Cagayan Valley Region. ............................... 34
Figure 23. Monsoonal distribution of strandings from 2019 and 2020 in Cagayan Valley Region. ..... 34
Figure 24. Seasonal distribution of strandings from 2019 and 2020 in Cagayan Valley Region. ......... 35
Figure 25. Monthly distribution of strandings from 2019 and 2020 in Cagayan Valley Region. .......... 35
Figure 26. Stranded marine mammal species from 2019 and 2020 in Cagayan Valley Region. .......... 36
Figure 27. Stranding event categories from 2019 to 2020 in Cagayan Valley Region. ......................... 36
Figure 28. Distribution of strandings from 2019 to 2020 in Central Luzon Region. .............................. 38
Figure 29. Number of strandings within 15 x 15 km from 2005 to 2020 in Central Luzon Region. ...... 39
Figure 30. Strandings per province from 2019 and 2020 in Central Luzon Region. .............................. 40
Figure 31. Monsoonal distribution of strandings from 2019 and 2020 in Central Luzon Region. ........ 40
Figure 32. Seasonal distribution of strandings from 2019 and 2020 in Central Luzon Region. ............ 41
Figure 33. Monthly distribution of strandings from 2019 and 2020 in Central Luzon Region. ............. 41
Figure 34. Stranded marine mammal species from 2019 and 2020 in Central Luzon Region. ............. 42
Figure 35. Stranding event categories from 2019 to 2020 in Central Luzon Region............................. 42
Figure 36. Distribution of strandings from 2019 to 2020 in CALABARZON Region. .............................. 44
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Figure 37. Number of strandings within 15 x 15 km from 2005 to 2020 in CALABARZON Region. ...... 45
Figure 38. Strandings per province from 2019 and 2020 in CALABARZON Region. .............................. 46
Figure 39. Monsoonal distribution of strandings from 2019 to 2020 in CALABARZON Region. ........... 46
Figure 40. Seasonal distribution of strandings from 2019 to 2020 in CALABARZON Region. ............... 47
Figure 41. Monthly distribution of strandings from 2019 to 2020 in CALABARZON Region. ................ 47
Figure 42. Stranded marine mammal species from 2019 to 2020 n CALABARZON Region. ................. 48
Figure 43. Stranding event categories from 2019 to 2020 in CALABARZON Region. ........................... 48
Figure 44. Distribution of strandings from 2019 to 2020 in MIMAROPA Region. ................................ 50
Figure 45. Number of strandings within 15 x 15 km from 2005 to 2020 in MIMAROPA Region. ......... 51
Figure 46. Strandings per province from 2019 to 2020 in MIMAROPA Region. ................................... 52
Figure 47. Monsoonal distribution of strandings from 2019 to 2020 in MIMAROPA Region. .............. 52
Figure 48. Seasonal distribution of strandings from 2019 to 2020 in MIMAROPA Region. .................. 53
Figure 49. Monthly distribution of strandings from 2019 and 2020 in MIMAROPA Region. ................ 53
Figure 50. Stranded marine mammal species from 2019 to 2020 in MIMAROPA Region. ................... 54
Figure 51. Stranding event categories from 2019 to 2020 in MIMAROPA Region. .............................. 54
Figure 52. Distribution of strandings from 2019 to 2020 in Bicol Region. ............................................ 56
Figure 53. Number of strandings within 15 x 15 km from 2005 to 2020 in Bicol Region...................... 57
Figure 54. Strandings per province from 2019 to 2020 in Bicol Region. ............................................... 58
Figure 55. Monsoonal distribution of strandings from 2019 to 2020 in Bicol Region. ......................... 58
Figure 56. Seasonal distribution of strandings from 2019 to 2020 in Bicol Region. ............................. 59
Figure 57. Monthly distribution of strandings from 2019 to 2020 in Bicol Region. .............................. 59
Figure 58. Stranded marine mammal species from 2019 to 2020 in Bicol Region. .............................. 60
Figure 59. Stranding event categories from 2019 to 2020 in Bicol Region. .......................................... 60
Figure 60. Distribution of strandings from 2019 and 2020 in Western Visayas Region. ...................... 62
Figure 61. Number of strandings within 15 x 15 km from 2005 to 2020 in Western Visayas Region... 63
Figure 62. Strandings per province from 2019 to 2020 in Western Visayas Region. ............................ 64
Figure 63. Monsoonal distribution of strandings from 2019 to 2020 in Western Visayas Region. ...... 64
Figure 64. Seasonal distribution of strandings from 2019 to 2020 in Western Visayas Region. .......... 65
Figure 65. Monthly distribution of strandings from 2019 to 2020 in Western Visayas Region. ........... 65
Figure 66. Stranded marine mammal species from 2019 to 2020 in Western Visayas Region. ........... 66
Figure 67. Stranding event categories from 2019 to 2020 in Western Visayas Region. ....................... 66
Figure 68. Distribution of strandings from 2019 to 2020 in Central Visayas Region. ........................... 68
Figure 69. Number of strandings within 15 x 15 km from 2005 to 2020 in Central Visayas Region. ... 69
Figure 70. Strandings per province from 2019 to 2020 in Central Visayas Region. .............................. 70
Figure 71. Monsoonal distribution of strandings from 2019 to 2020 in Central Visayas Region. ........ 70
Figure 72. Seasonal distribution of strandings from 2019 to 2020 in Central Visayas Region. ............ 71
Figure 73. Monthly distribution of strandings from 2019 to 2020 in Central Visayas Region. ............. 71
Figure 74. Stranded marine mammal species from 2019 to 2020 in Central Visayas Region. ............. 72
Figure 75. Stranding event categories from 2019 to 2020 in Central Visayas Region. ......................... 72
Figure 76. Distribution of strandings from 2019 to 2020 in Eastern Visayas Region. .......................... 74
Figure 77. Number of strandings within 15 x 15 km from 2005 to 2020 in Eastern Visayas Region. ... 75
Figure 78. Strandings per province from 2019 to 2020 in Eastern Visayas Region. ............................. 76
Figure 79. Monsoonal distribution of strandings from 2019 to 2020 in Eastern Visayas Region. ........ 76
Figure 80. Seasonal distribution of strandings from 2019 to 2020 in Eastern Visayas Region............. 77
Figure 81. Monthly distribution of strandings from 2019 to 2020 in Eastern Visayas Region. ............ 77
Figure 82. Stranded marine mammal species from 2019 to 2020 in Eastern Visayas Region. ............. 78
Figure 83. Stranding event categories from 2019 to 2020 in Eastern Visayas Region. ........................ 78
Figure 84. Distribution of strandings from 2019 to 2020 in Zamboanga Peninsula Region. ................ 80
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Figure 85. Number of strandings within 15 x 15 km from 2005 to 2020 in Zamboanga Peninsula. .... 81
Figure 86. Strandings per province from 2019 to 2020 in Zamboanga Peninsula. ............................... 82
Figure 87. Monsoonal distribution of strandings from 2019 to 2020 in Zamboanga Peninsula. ......... 82
Figure 88. Seasonal distribution of strandings from 2019 to 2020 in Zamboanga Peninsula Region. . 83
Figure 89. Monthly distribution of strandings from 2019 to 2020 in Zamboanga Peninsula Region. .. 83
Figure 90. Stranded marine mammal species from 2019 to 2020 in Zamboanga Peninsula Region. .. 84
Figure 91. Stranding event categories from 2019 to 2020 in Zamboanga Peninsula Region. .............. 84
Figure 92. Distribution of strandings from 2019 to 2020 in Northern Mindanao................................. 86
Figure 93. Number of strandings within 15 x 15 km from 2005 to 2020 in Northern Mindanao. ........ 87
Figure 94. Strandings per province from 2019 to 2020 in Northern Mindanao. .................................. 88
Figure 95. Monsoonal distribution of strandings from 2019 to 2020 in Northern Mindanao Region. . 88
Figure 96. Seasonal distribution of strandings from 2019 to 2020 in Northern Mindanao Region. ..... 89
Figure 97. Monthly distribution of strandings from 2019 to 2020 in Northern Mindanao. ................. 89
Figure 98. Stranded marine mammal species from 2019 to 2020 in Northern Mindanao. .................. 90
Figure 99. Stranding event categories from 2019 to 2020 in Northern Mindanao. ............................. 90
Figure 100. Distribution of strandings from 2019 to 2020 in Davao Region. ....................................... 92
Figure 101. Number of strandings within 15 x 15 km from 2005 to 2020 in Davao Region. ................ 93
Figure 102. Strandings per province from 2019 to 2020 in Davao Region. .......................................... 94
Figure 103. Monsoonal distribution of strandings from 2019 to 2020 in Davao Region. ..................... 94
Figure 104. Seasonal distribution of strandings from 2019 to 2020 in Davao Region. ........................ 95
Figure 105. Monthly distribution of strandings from 2019 to 2020 in Davao Region. ......................... 95
Figure 106. Stranded marine mammal species from 2019 to 2020 in Davao Region. .......................... 96
Figure 107. Stranding event categories from 2019 to 2020 in Davao Region. ..................................... 96
Figure 108. Distribution of strandings from 2019 to 2020 in SOCCSKSARGEN Region. ........................ 98
Figure 109. Number of strandings within 15 x 15 km from 2005 to 2020 in SOCCSKSARGEN Region.. 99
Figure 110. Strandings per province from 2019 to 2020 in SOCCSKSARGEN Region. ......................... 100
Figure 111. Monsoonal distribution of strandings from 2019 to 2020 in SOCCSKSARGEN Region. ... 100
Figure 112. Seasonal distribution of strandings from 2019 to 2020 in SOCCSKSARGEN Region. ....... 101
Figure 113. Monthly distribution of strandings from 2019 to 2020 in SOCCSKSARGEN Region. ........ 101
Figure 114. Stranded marine mammal species from 2019 to 2020 in SOCCSKSARGEN Region. ........ 102
Figure 115. Stranding event categories from 2019 to 2020 in SOCCSKSARGEN Region. .................... 102
Figure 116. Distribution of strandings from 2019 to 2020 in Caraga Region. .................................... 104
Figure 117. Number of strandings within 15 x 15 km from 2005 to 2020 in Caraga Region.............. 105
Figure 118. Strandings per province from 2019 to 2020 in Caraga Region. ....................................... 106
Figure 119. Monsoonal distribution of strandings from 2019 to 2020 in Caraga Region. ................. 106
Figure 120. Seasonal distribution of strandings from 2019 to 2020 in Caraga Region. ..................... 107
Figure 121. Monthly distribution of strandings from 2019 to 2020 in Caraga Region. ...................... 107
Figure 122. Stranded marine mammal species from 2019 to 2020 in Caraga Region. ...................... 108
Figure 123. Stranding event categories from 2019 to 2020 in Caraga Region. .................................. 108
Figure 124. Distribution of strandings from 2019 to 2020 in BARMM Region. .................................. 110
Figure 125. Number of strandings within 15 x 15 km from 2005 to 2020 in BARMM Region. ........... 111
Figure 126. Strandings per province from 2019 to 2020 in BARMM Region. .................................... 112
Figure 127. Monsoonal distribution of strandings from 2019 to 2020 in BARMM Region. ................ 112
Figure 128. Seasonal distribution of strandings from 2019 to 2020 in BARMM Region. ................... 113
Figure 129. Monthly distribution of strandings from 2019 to 2020 in BARMM Region. .................... 113
Figure 130. Stranded marine mammal species from 2019 to 2020 in BARMM Region...................... 114
Figure 131. Stranding event categories from 2019 to 2020 in BARMM Region. ................................ 114
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LIST OF TABLES
Table 1. Total number of grids with stranding records in the Philippines. ........................................... 16
Table 2. Areas or grids with 9 to 12 and ≥13 recorded stranding events. ............................................ 16
Table 3. Stranding events per region from 2019 to 2020. .................................................................... 21
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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
This report is a product of our continuing network effort and would not have been possible without
the support of the University of the Philippines – Diliman, particularly the Marine Mammal Research
& Stranding Laboratory of the Institute of Environmental Science & Meteorology, and the Philippine
Marine Mammal Stranding Network. Many thanks to UP Diliman officers, namely former Chancellor
Michael Tan and current Chancellor Fidel Nemenzo for their continuous support, and the College of
Science Dean Giovanni Tapang. Again, special appreciation to the teamwork and support from
PMMSN’s core member institutions: DA-BFAR, Ocean Adventure, all coastal LGUs and UP IESM. Special
mention to BFAR National Director, Retired Cmdr Eduardo Gongona for his never-ending support.
Also, the PMMSN is especially indebted to the BFAR Regional Directors for also acting as Board
Members of the PMMSN and heading their respective regional chapters: Rosario Segundina Gaerlan
(I), Angel Encarnacion (II), Wilfredo Cruz (III), Sammy Malvas (IV-A), Elizer Salilig (IV-B), Nelson Bien
(V), Remia Aparri (VI), Allan Poquita (VII), John Albaladejo (VIII), Isidro Velayo, Jr (IX), Teodore Bacolod,
Jr (X), Raul Millana (XI), Alfeo Piloton & Usop Pendaliday, Jr (XII), Visa Dimerin, Omnia Olama & Nilo
Katada (XIII), and DG Pendatun Patarasa (BARMM). Special mention to Belmor Bugaoan (BFAR 1),
Marjurie Grutas (BFAR V), Elen Ylanan (BFAR VII), and Ghie Bartolome (BFAR IV-A) for always being
there to serve the PMMSN in either active or retired duties. Similarly, we will always be grateful to
retired RDs Jovita Ayson, Esmeralda Manalang, Remedios Ontangco, Andy Bojos, Lilian Garcia,
Milagros Morales, Visa Dismerin, Janice Musali, and Alfeo Piloton. Thank you to the former BFAR
national directors: Malcolm Sarmiento and Asis Perez for their foresight in seeing the value of PMMSN.
This national stranding network is also grateful to the many LGU chief executives from Governors and
Mayors whom we have had the pleasure to work with in various stranding response activities. Special
mention to Governors Jose Riano (Romblon) and Steve Solon (Sarangani), and Mayors Richard Gomez
(Ormoc City), Art Celeste (Alaminos City) and Isabelle Climaco (Zamboanga City).
There are many people who have assisted in the collection of data and samples and submission of
reports and photos whom we are grateful for. Again, these are the passionate people who have given
so much time to their respective PMMSN Chapters. We thank Henry Canlas, Jeff Soriano, Nonie Enolva,
Art Valente, Johann Tejada, Ann Finalla, Glen Padro, Gefel Mamhot, Irish Belmonte, Joy Uriarte, Maia
Lim, Gary Cabinta, Rita Sarmiento, Richard Muallil, Wing Olama, Rey Ramilo, Bong Tuballes, Susan
Noche, Ramil del Rosario, Winston Plaza, Cornelio Ramirez, and our regular vets: Drs Hasmin
Chogsayan, Ronnie & Lilian Duque, Arnold Dela Cruz, Jeff Soriano, Henry Centeno, Elma Bermudez,
Marco Espiritu, Milcah Valente, Joy Seledio, Kris Gonzales, Leona Ortega, Pido Manglicmot, Froiland
Sanchez, Suzette Apura, Cristine Redona, Bernadeth Florentin, Rogelio Gocotano Jr, Aveguin Meguillo,
Ian Prado, JM Victoria, Jen Rivero, Mario Arriola, Enrique Espiritu, Roy Mejorada, Jen Rivero, Evelyn
Saberon, and Arnedo Agbayani.
The PMMSN has faced many challenges but continues to be the difference. Thanks to our hard-core
officers: Dr Leo Suarez, Dr Chris Torno, Dr Mariel Buccat-Flores, Bianca Espinos, and our other
supporters namely, Jerson Vitug, Jean Balquin, Jonah Paz, Drs Toni Guy, Mike Briggs, Em Lastica, Sandy
Ling Choo, Che Garcia, and Professor Emeritus Joseph Masangkay (our adviser). Also, our utmost
appreciation to our regular lab mates: Dr Christine Obusan & Dr Jonah Bondoc, and Kimberly
Benjamin, Jamaica Caras, Janine Bobadilla, Phro Cabrera, John Ordinario, Rizza Bugtong, Charina
Villania, Erina Molina, and Russell Corcino.
Again, there is a very long list of people to thank here, and we are sure we have forgotten some. We
apologize for any inadvertent omissions then.
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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Stranding of marine mammals is complex and understanding this phenomenon requires continuous
surveillance, monitoring, data collection and research. The Philippine Marine Mammal Stranding
Network (PMMSN) has collected 1178 records of stranding events nationwide from 2005 to 2020. This
Technical Report is a follow-up to the second Report (i.e., Aragones and Laggui 2019). As stated in the
second Technical Report the consequent series of Reports will cover two-year periods only. Thus, this
third Report covers the stranding dataset from 2019 to 2020. However, as in the first (Aragones et al.
2017) and second Reports, updates on the general trends for the larger data set (2005 to 2020) will
also be provided.
This Report showcases analyses of the stranding records from 2019 to 2020 (n=220) for trends in
stranding frequency by year, region, season, monsoon, species, sex, age class, original disposition,
release and rehabilitation success. The spatial coverage presented in this report was specific to regions
and provinces primarily for administrative purposes. Identification of more specific or smaller spatial
areas (i.e., by municipality/city) for potential stranding hotspots was assessed using Fishnet Tools
(using 15 x 15 km grids). Furthermore, seasonality of stranding events was categorized according to
the prevailing monsoons. The Northeast (NE) monsoon months are November to February (NDJF),
Southwest (SW monsoon) monsoon months are June to September (JJAS), and Spring Inter-monsoon
(Spring IM) in October (or Lull before NE monsoon) and the Winter Inter-monsoon (Winter IM) from
March to May (MAM, or Lull before SW monsoon). The stranding data was also presented in the more
classic seasonal context of DJF, MAM, JJA, SON. As data analytics advances, future reports will be
improved further.
Strandings in the Philippines have generally increased through time. In a moving average of the annual
stranding frequencies from 2005 to 2020, the first five years (2005-2009) had an average of 34,
followed by the next five (2010-2014), 73, and the last 6 years (2015-2020) had 108. The annual
frequencies have apparently plateaued since 2014. The increasing trend and plateau imply that the
continuing high total annual frequencies is beyond the artifact of people being educated about
strandings and reporting them but that this sustained strandings must be compounded by other
factors. In 2010, the main factors that explained the increasing trends then were: increasing
awareness, toxins, and fishing efforts (both legal & illegal; Aragones at al. 2010). The PMMSN through
the Marine Mammal Research and Stranding Laboratory of the UP IESM is currently examining the
effects of pollution (chemical & noise), diseases, marine debris and by-catch on marine mammal
stranding events nationwide, to mention a few.
The previous Technical Report showed that there are distinct regional hotspots in each Island group
of Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao from 2005 to 2018 dataset. Strandings in the last 2 years (2019-2020)
highlighted these top five regions: Region I (Ilocos Region, n=26), Region V (Bicol Region, n=26), Region
VI (Western Visayas, n=25), Region IV-B (MIMAROPA, n=22) and Region VII (Central Visayas, n=23).
There were 3 regions (I, IV-B, V) in the top five from the previous Technical Report. All these three
regions are in Luzon. These five (5) hotspots regions accounted for 55.45% of the total stranding
events from 2019 to 2020.
Grids of 15 x 15 km were employed via Fishnet Tool in this latest Report to visualize the specific areas
where stranding events frequently occurred. Almost a third (440 of 1368, 32.16%) of the grids created
along the Philippine coastline had records of stranding events from 2005 to 2020. Eighteen (18)
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hotspots (areas of concern, total stranding frequency ≥9 per grid) on a municipal/city level were
identified: Sta Ana (n=19), Badoc (n=18), Dagupan (n=16), Pagudpud (n=15), Alaminos City (n=14),
Claveria (n=13), Davao City (n=13), Labrador (n=12), Mati (n=12), Del Gallego (n=11), Bago City (n=11),
Malapatan (n=11), Pasuquin (n=10), Maco (n=10), Sto Domingo (n=9), Narvacan (n=9), Davao City
(n=9), and Zamboanga City (n=9). Ilocos remains the primary region of concern since it hosts 8
stranding hotspot municipalities/cities. Region II, Region V, Region VI, Region IX, Region XI, and Region
XII are approaching the rates to be considered areas of concern as well.
To date, roughly a third of the coastline of the Philippine archipelago has had stranding records. The
Fishnet Tool identified municipal/city level areas of concern. These specific areas should be the
primary or focal areas of interest for the concerned Provincial Fisheries Officers and BFAR Regional
Directors in terms of strategic management or planning for training requests and the like. The top
seven (7) provinces with the highest frequency of recorded strandings were Palawan (n=10), Negros
Occidental (n=10), Ilocos Norte (n=9), Ilocos Sur (n=9), Cagayan (n=9), Cebu (n=9), and Sarangani (n=9).
There were no clear patterns nor trends for the monsoonal distribution of strandings in 2019 to 2020.
The total frequency during the Northeast monsoon (n=90) was closely followed by the Southwest
monsoon (n=69), then Winter Inter-monsoon (Lull before SW; n=47), and Spring Inter-monsoon (Lull
before NE; n=14). In terms of seasonality, 36% of the total strandings occurred during MAM season
(n=80), 25% during JJA season (n=55), 20% during DJF season (n=44), and 18.64% during SON season
(n=41). Majority of these strandings in 2019 to 2020 involved single stranding events (n=214). There
were only five (5) records of mass strandings and one out of habitat.
The 5 most frequent species to strand in recent years (2019-2020) were again the were spinner
dolphin (n=35), followed by pygmy sperm whale (n=23), Fraser’s dolphin (n=22), dugong (n=18),
melon-headed whale (n=17), Risso’s dolphin (n=12), and short-finned pilot whale (n=12). The number
of stranding records per species is most alarming for the dugong (Dugong dugon) as it is a critically
endangered species in the Philippines. Based on the previous Technical Report, the dugong had a total
of 62 stranding records for 14 years (from 2005 to 2018) nationwide. That is equivalent to an average
of 4 strandings per year, one stranding increase from the previous average (2005-2016) – a trend that
is consistently observed to date. In 2019 & 2020, the dugong had a total of 18 stranding records. This
increased the annual average of dugong strandings since 2005 to 5 strandings per year. Majority of
these dugong mortalities came from the provinces of Palawan (n=3), Guimaras (n=2), Sarangani (n=2),
and Surigao del Sur (n=2).
Overall, there were only 37.27% (n=82) live marine mammals in 2019 and 2020 out of all stranding
events (Figure 4). Of the live stranders, 29 (~36%) eventually died, 24 (~29%) released and 16 (~20%)
animals were rehabilitated. Of the 24 released, 5 animals reportedly died. Out of the 16 marine
mammals rehabilitated or given at least 24-hour supportive care, 7 survived and were released
successfully (~44%). Thirteen (13) of the 82 live stranders were undetermined. Again, these trends and
patterns of strandings, and releases and rehabilitations would not have been possible if not for the
efforts of the PMMSN.
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INTRODUCTION
A robust stranding database is key to understanding marine mammal strandings as well as long-term
environmental changes. Data collection and archiving of samples from stranded marine mammals
provide insights on numerous rare and even endangered species. These datasets can account for
marine mammal species composition, distribution, movement patterns, proxies to their population
sizes (Norman et al. 2004, Pyenson 2011) and ocean and human health (Moore 2008, Bossart 2011).
Furthermore, beached specimens can yield valuable records on anatomy, life history, genetics,
disease, parasites, contaminants and feeding ecology that are otherwise hard to obtain when studying
marine mammals in the wild (Perrin and Geraci 2002, Vianna et al. 2016).
The data and samples collected from stranded marine mammals in the country presented many
opportunities for studying several aspects of these rarely studied animals. For example, in 2015, a
comprehensive study on microbiology of stranded cetaceans was investigated by Obusan et al.,
detecting potentially pathogenic microbes. Likewise, stranding events from 2012 to 2013 and 2017 to
2018 provided information on the antibiotic resistance of pathogenic microorganisms from select
stranded cetaceans (Obusan et al. 2018, Obusan et al. 2021). Obusan et al. 2019 also utilized stranding
occurrences from October 2016 to August 2018 and detected the likelihood of toxoplasmosis and
leptospirosis in cetaceans. Similarly, De Guzman et al. 2020 examined toxoplasmosis molecularly from
select samples from 2019. Studies examining the microbiology of marine mammals’ aid in determining
plausible pathogenic infections and antimicrobial resistance among and within populations. Similarly,
a study by Bondoc et al. (2017) attempted to examine the causes of stranded marine mammals in the
country using histopathological and hematological techniques. In the case of impacts of human
interaction on marine mammal stranding, evidence was provided by the study of Obusan et al. 2016.
An acoustic trauma from blast fishing related study on stranded marine mammals was also
investigated (Paccini et al. 2016) as well as the transmission beam pattern of a spinner dolphin (Smith
et al. 2019). Blood values for the data deficient spinner dolphins have been established from
rehabilitated stranders (Suarez et al. 2019). Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) contamination was
analyzed in a stranded dwarf sperm whale in Camarines Sur and rough-toothed dolphin in Zambales
(Bondoc et al. 2021). Moreover, the comprehensive stranding database of the country has been
utilized to elucidate the ecology of these animals (Aragones et al. unpublished data). An initial analysis
was conducted by Aragones et al. 2010 using the compiled stranding data from 1998 to 2009
examining spatial and temporal trends as well as identifying potential geographical hotspots. More
comprehensive analyses of the national stranding database from 2005 to 2016 was conducted by
Aragones and his colleagues in 2017. The first Technical Report served as the primary assessment of
the long-term (12 years) marine mammal stranding dataset collected since 2005. The second Technical
Report initiated the biennial analysis to ensure early identification of issues related to stranded marine
mammals nationwide.
This third Technical Report aims to continue what the second report did. That is to highlight the results
of the ongoing investigation of the various aspects of marine mammal strandings in the Philippines.
Specifically, the purpose of this report are to (1) map stranding events per region, and identify
stranding hotspots on a localized level (i.e. municipal-provincial) using the previous (2005 to 2020)
and recent (2019 to 2020) dataset; and (2) examine trends of recent stranding data (2019 to 2020)
regarding (i) species composition, (ii) spatial (by regions) and temporal variation or patterns (iii)
proportions of sex, live and dead stranders, refloated/released and rehabilitated stranded marine
mammals in the country and on a regional basis.
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These Technical Reports offer valuable information since data on marine mammals in the Philippines
is limited. This information is fundamental for the protection and conservation of marine mammals in
the Philippines. Also, these reports identify marine mammal hotspot areas relevant to the
municipal/city, provincial and regional levels. The systematic collection and collation of stranding data
in the country have been providing information on One Health: marine mammals, environment, and
humans. The Memorandum of Agreements between PMMSN and the various Regional BFAR offices,
authorizing PMMSN to conduct its five core activities: rescue, release or refloat, rehabilitate,
repository of samples and research remain vital. Another key instrument is an active MOU between
PMMSN and the Marine Mammal Research and Stranding Laboratory of the Institute of Environmental
Science & Meteorology of the University of the Philippines – Diliman to act as its research arm. The
strength of this national network is its empowered chapters and focus on science.
METHODS
The primary methods regarding the collection and collation of the stranding data followed the first
Technical Report in 2017 (Aragones et al. 2017). As in previous Technical Reports, the overall dataset
is updated in this report, which now covers the period from 2005 to 2020, focusing on biennial years
of 2019 to 2020. These recent stranding records were analyzed for trends in stranding frequency by
year, region, season, species, gender, age class, disposition, and rehabilitation success rate. The spatial
coverage presented in this report were specific to regions and provinces as these are important for
administrative purposes. The more specific or smaller spatial examination (i.e., by municipality/city)
is described below. Furthermore, months were categorized according to the prevailing monsoons
(after Wang and Ho 2002, Wang 2006, Villafuerte et al. 2014). The Northeast (NE) monsoon months
are November to February (NDJF), Southwest (SW monsoon) monsoon months are June to September
(JJAS), and Spring Inter-monsoon (Spring IM) in October (or Lull before NE monsoon) and the Winter
Inter-monsoon (Winter IM) from March to May (MAM, or Lull before SW monsoon). The stranding
data was also presented in the more classic seasonal context of DJF, MAM, JJA, SON.
Collected stranding data on locations (i.e., sitio, barangay, municipality/city) were converted to
corresponding latitude and longitude. Stranding data was imported into ArcMap 10.1 and re-projected
into a UTM coordinate system (WGS 1984 Zone 51 N) for visual inspection of the distribution. Fishnet
Tool map was used to identify hotspot areas in a municipal/city level (Figure 1). A 15 x 15 km grid was
created using the Fishnet Tool of ArcMap 10.1. The 15 x 15 km grid size was used based on the
assumption that this size represents the extent or coverage of most municipalities or cities coastline.
Stranding data points were then joined into the Fishnet output which served as the target feature
using one to one join operation. The total number of stranding points that fall within each 15 x 15 km
grid was calculated and was again classified based on the natural break method.
12
RESULTS
GENERAL TRENDS OF STRANDING EVENTS IN THE PHILIPPINES
A total of 1178 marine mammal stranding events have been recorded in the Philippines from 2005 to
2020, with a total of 220 strandings from 2019 to 2020 comprising 18.68% of the total stranding
events. In a moving average of the annual stranding frequencies from 2005 to 2020, the first five years
(2005-2009) was 34, followed by the next five (2010-2014), 73, and the last six years (2015-2020) was
108.
Out of the 1368 grids (15 x 15km) created along the Philippine coastline (Figure 1) using the Fishnet
Tool, 32.16% (n=440) had incidences of stranding from 2005 to 2020. The frequency of stranding
occurrences is summarized in Table 1. Areas where there were greater than or equal to 9 stranding
events were considered hotspots (areas of concern) on a municipal level (Table 2). Eleven (11)
municipalities had 9 to 12 stranding occurrences including 4 municipalities from Region I (Narvacan,
Sto Domingo, Pasuquin, Labrador), Region V (Camarines Sur), Region VI (Bago City), Region IX
(Zamboanga City), Region XI (Davao City, Maco, Mati), and Region XII (Malapatan). Meanwhile, 7
municipalities (Davao City, Claveria, Sta Ana, Alaminos City, Pagudpud, Dagupan, Badoc) covering
Region XI, Region II, and Region I had greater than or equal to 13 stranding events documented,
respectively.
In 2019 and 2020, the top five regions with the highest stranding occurrences as shown in Table 3
were Region I (Ilocos Region, n=26), Region V (Bicol Region, n=26), Region VI (Western Visayas, n=25),
Region VII (Central Visayas, n=23) and Region IV-B (MIMAROPA, n=22). Strandings recorded in these
5 areas practically contributed 55.45% of the total stranding events in the period covered. Region V
now ranks among the regions with the highest stranding individuals recorded for the past 2 years. On
the other hand, the regions with the lowest stranding incidences were BARMM (n=4), Region X
(Northern Mindanao, n=5), Region IX (Zamboanga Peninsula, n=8) and Region IV-A (CALABARZON,
n=8). BARMM remained the region with the least number of reported standing cases among regions.
The provinces with high total stranding incidences in 2019 to 2020 were Palawan (n=10), Negros
Occidental (n=10), Ilocos Norte (n=9), Ilocos Sur (n=9), Cebu (n=9), Sarangani (n=9), Pangasinan (n=7),
Bataan (n=7), Occidental Mindoro (n=7), Camarines Sur (n=7) and Negros Oriental (n=7). Of these 11
provinces, 2 had the highest stranding frequency documented in 2020 namely Ilocos Sur and
Pangasinan, as shown in Figure 9. Cebu, Palawan, Ilocos Norte, and Negros Occidental had stranding
frequency at the maximum in 2019 (Figure 9).
In terms of stranding frequency by monsoon in 2019 to 2020, more strandings occurred during the
Northeast monsoon (n=90), followed closely by Southwest monsoon (n=69), then Winter Inter-
monsoon (Lull before SW; n=47), and Spring Inter-monsoon (Lull before NE; n=14). The spread of the
recorded stranding events in the country per season for each region is shown in Figure 10. A glaring
trend from the 2019 to 2020 dataset were that more strandings were recorded during the Northeast
monsoon in Regions I, V, VI, and VII.
By season, from 2019 to 2020, 36% of the total strandings occurred during MAM season (n=80), 25%
during JJA season (n=55), 20% during DJF season (n=44), and 18.64% during SON season (n=41). The
stranding frequency by season by region from 2019 to 2020 is shown in Figure 11. The highest trends
per region occurred during the MAM season in Regions I and XII, and during the SON season in Region
X.
13
Analysis of the data per year shows that the highest stranding events in the country were recorded in
years 2017 (n=121), 2019 (n=119), and 2015 (n=113; Figure 2), with single stranding events occurring
mostly in 2019 and 2020 (n=220). In 2019 to 2020, there were only five records of mass strandings
and one out of habitat (Figure 3).
Overall, there were only 37.27% (n=82) live marine mammals in 2019 and 2020 out of all stranding
events (Figure 4). This rate is low in comparison to years 2017-2018 (56.33%). Of the live stranders, 29
(~36%) died, 24 (~30%) released and 16 (~20%) animals were rehabilitated. Of the 24 released
stranders, 5 animals reportedly died. Out of the 16 marine mammals rehabilitated or given a few hours
of supportive care, 7 survived and were released successfully (~44%). Furthermore, for the past 2
years, 73.63% of the documented stranding event were adult (n=162), 16.82% were subadult (n=37),
and 7.27% were calf (n=16). Adult, subadult, and calf marine mammals stranded more frequently in
2019 than in 2020 (n=83, n=23, and n=10, respectively).
Majority of the stranded cetaceans’ sex was undetermined (36.36%, n=80; Figure 6). Only 34.55%
(n=76) and 26.26% (n=58) were identified as male and female, respectively. Additionally, the sex ratio
of stranded male to female from 2019 to 2020 was approximately even with a relative value of 1. In
terms of trends, more males were recorded to strand in 2019 (n=45) while females were relatively
higher in 2020 (n=36).
For the species composition of stranded marine mammals recorded in 2019 to 2020, 22 cetaceans and
1 sirenian were documented. In 2017-2018, 23 cetaceans and 1 sirenian were reported. The 5 most
frequent species to strand in recent years were spinner dolphin (Stenella longirostris, n=35), pygmy
sperm whale (Kogia breviceps, n=23), Fraser’s dolphin (Lagenodelphis hosei, n=22), dugong (Dugong
dugon, n=18), melon-headed whale (Peponocephala electra, n=17), Risso’s dolphin (Grampus griseus,
n=12), and short-finned pilot whale (Globicephala macrorhynchus, n=12; Figure 7).
14
FIGURE 1. NUMBER OF STRANDINGS WITHIN EACH 15 X 15 KM GRID USING 2005-2020 DATASET.
15
TABLE 1. TOTAL NUMBER OF GRIDS WITH STRANDING RECORDS IN THE PHILIPPINES.
Count
Total grid along Philippine coast 1368
Grid with stranding points 440
Grid with 1-4 stranding points 367
Grid with ≥13 stranding points 7
TABLE 2. AREAS OR GRIDS WITH 9 TO 12 AND ≥13 RECORDED STRANDING EVENTS.

Stranding
Municipality/City Province Region
Count
Sta Ana Cagayan II 19
Badoc Ilocos Norte I 18
Dagupan Pangasinan I 16
Pagudpud Ilocos Norte I 15
Alaminos City Pangasinan I 14
Claveria Cagayan II 13
Davao City Davao del Sur XI 13
Labrador Pangasinan I 12
Mati Davao Oriental XI 12
Del Gallego Camarines Sur V 11
Bago City Negros Occidental VI 11
Malapatan Sarangani XII 11
Pasuquin Ilocos Norte I 10
Maco Compostela Valley XI 10
Sto Domingo Ilocos Sur I 9
Narvacan Ilocos Sur I 9
Davao City Davao del Sur XI 9
Zamboanga City Zamboanga del Sur IX 9
16
140
121 119
120 113 111
105
101
Stranding frequency
100
82 82
80
67
56 53
60 50
37
40 30
28
23
20
0
2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020
Year
FIGURE 2. STRANDING EVENTS RECORDED FROM 2005 TO 2020.
140
118
120
96
Stranding frequency
100
80
2019
60
2020
40
20
1 4 1
0
Single Mass Out of habitat
Year
FIGURE 3. CATEGORIES OF STRANDINGS IN YEAR 2019 TO 2020.
17
90
80
80
70
Stranding frequency
60 57
50 43
39 2019
40
2020
30
20
10
1
0
Alive Dead Mixed
Disposition
FIGURE 4. DISPOSITION OF STRANDED MARINE MAMMALS FROM 2019 TO 2020.
90 83
79
80
70
Stranding frequency
60
50
40 2019
2020
30 23
20 14
10
10 6
1 1 2 1
0
Adult Subadult Calf Mixed Mother & calf
Age class
FIGURE 5. AGE CLASS OF STRANDED MARINE MAMMALS FROM 2019 TO 2020.
18
60
49
50
45
Stranding frequency
40 36
31 31
30
2019
22
2020
20
10
3 3
0
Male Female Mixed Unknown
Age class
FIGURE 6. SEX OF STRANDED MARINE MAMMALS FROM 2019 TO 2020.
19
Spinner dolphin 24
11
Pygmy sperm whale 13

10
Dugong 11
7
Fraser's dolphin 10
12
Dwarf sperm whale 7

4
Risso's dolphin 7
5
Pantropical spotted dophin 6

4
Cuvier's beaked whale 4

3
Common bottlenose dolphin 4

2
Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphin 4

Marine mammal species
Sperm whale 4
3
Melon-headed whale 4
13
2019
Striped dolphin 3
4 2020
Rough-toothed dolphin 3
Blainville's beaked whale 2
Bryde's whale 2
2
False killer whale 2

1
Pygmy killer whale 2

1
Short-finned pilot whale 2

10
Irrawaddy dolphin 2
1
Fin whale 1
Omura's whale 1
Unidentified balaenopterid 2
0 5 10 15 20 25 30
Stranding frequency
FIGURE 7. STRANDED MARINE MAMMAL SPECIES FROM 2019 TO 2020.
20
TABLE 3. STRANDING EVENTS PER REGION FROM 2019 TO 2020.

2019 (no. of 2020 (no. of Total (no. of
Region
individuals) individuals) individuals)
I (Ilocos Region) 13(14) 13(14) 26(28)
II (Cagayan Valley) 6 5 11
III (Central Luzon) 4 7 11
IV-A (CALABARZON) 3 5 8
IV-B (MIMAROPA) 14 8(9) 22(23)
V (Bicol Region) 13 13(22) 26(35)
VI (Western Visayas) 13(15) 12(13) 25(28)
VII (Central Visayas) 13 10 23
VIII (Western Visayas) 9 7 16
IX (Zamboanga Peninsula) 3 5 8
X (Northern Mindanao) 4 1 5
XI (Davao Region) 11 1 12
XII (SOCCSKSARGEN) 7 5 12
XIII (Caraga) 4 7 11
BARMM 2 2 4
Total 119(122) 101(113) 220(235)
16
14
14 1313 1313 13 13
12
12 11
Stranding frequency
10
10 9
8
8 7 7 7 7 2019
6
6 5 5 5 5 2020
4 4 4
4 3 3
22
2 1 1
Region
FIGURE 8. STRANDING FREQUENCY PER REGION FROM 2019 TO 2020.
21
Stranding frequency
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
0
Ilocos Norte
Ilocos Sur
1
La Union
Pangasinan
Batanes
2
Cagayan
Aurora
3
Bataan
Zambales
Batangas
4A
Quezon
Marinduque
Occidental Mindoro
4B
Palawan
Romblon
Albay
Camarines Norte
Camarines Sur
5
Catanduanes
Masbate
Sorsogon
Aklan
Antique
Capiz
6
Guimaras
Iloilo
Negros Occidental
Bohol
Cebu
7
Negros Oriental
Province
Siquijor
Biliran
Leyte
8
Northern Samar
Samar
Southern Leyte
Zamboanga del Norte
9
Zambuanga Sibugay
Zamboanga del Sur
FIGURE 9. STRANDING FREQUENCY PER PROVINCE FROM 2019 TO 2020.
Camiguin
10
Lanao del Norte

Misamis Oriental
Compostella Valley
Davao del Norte
11
Davao del Sur

Davao Oriental
Davao Occidental
Sarangani
12
South Cotabato
Agusan del Norte
Siargao
13
Surigao del Norte

Surigao del Sur
Basilan
Maguindanao
2020
2019
Sulu
BARMM
Tawi-Tawi
22
14
13 NE
12 Lull before SW
12
SW
11
Lull before NE
10
Stranding frequency
10
9
8
7 7
6 6 6
6
5 5 5
4 4 4 4 4
4
3
2 2 2
2
1 1 1 1 1 1
0
1 2 3 4A 4B 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 BARMM
Region
FIGURE 10. STRANDING FREQUENCY BY MONSOON BY REGION FROM 2019 TO 2020.
23
16
DJF JJA MAM SON
14
14
12
12
Stranding frequency
10
10
88 8
8
7 7 7
6 6 6
6
5 5 5 5 55
4 4 4 4 44
4
3 3 3 3 3 33 33
2 22 2 2 22 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2
2
1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
0
1 2 3 4A 4B 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 BARMM
Region
FIGURE 11. STRANDING FREQUENCY BY SEASON BY REGION FROM 2019 TO 2020.
24
Stranding per region
REGION I (ILOCOS REGION)
Ilocos Region was the hottest hotspot region tied with Region V for 2019 to 2020 (both n=26). The
distribution of the recorded stranding events within the region is shown in Figure 12. There were 13
recorded stranding events each in 2019 and 2020 (Figure 14). At the provincial level, Ilocos Norte and
Ilocos Sur (n=9) contributed the most in terms of the overall number of stranded marine mammals in
the region. Stranding frequency in Ilocos Norte was high in 2019 while stranding events in Ilocos Sur
and Pangasinan were higher in 2020 than in 2019. Only one stranding event occurred in La Union in
2019 and none in 2020.
Region 1 has the most numerous hotspot municipalities/cities nationwide. The concentration of
stranding events per municipality based on the 15 x 15 km grid is shown in Figure 13. As mentioned
above, the dataset used in this experiment covers the 2005 to 2020 recorded stranding events. A total
of 39 grids along the coastline of Ilocos Region had stranding occurrences. There were 20 grids that
involved 1 to 4 stranding events, 11 grids with 5 to 8, 4 grids 9 to 12 and 4 grids with more than 13
strandings, respectively. The grids with 9 to 12 stranding incidences were in Ilocos Norte (Pasuquin),
Ilocos Sur (Narvacan, Sto Domingo), and Pangasinan (Labrador), while grids with greater than 13
incidences were in Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte (n=15), Dagupan, Pangasinan (n=16), and Badoc, Ilocos
Norte (n=18).
The general trend was that most strandings occurred during the Northeast monsoon (n=11), followed
by during the Winter Inter-monsoon (n=9), and Southwest monsoon (n=6). There was no stranding
event during the lull before NE. Strandings during the Northeast monsoon peaked in Pangasinan in
2020 (n=5). Furthermore, strandings were consistently observed across monsoons and inter-monsoon
seasons in Ilocos Norte and Ilocos Sur (Figure 15).
By seasonality (Figure 16), approximately half (n=14) of the stranding events in the region were
documented during the March-April-May (MAM) season. There were 6 incidents during the JJA season
and 3 incidents each during the DJF and SON seasons. The maximum occurrences in Ilocos Sur
occurred during the MAM season (n=5), Moreover, Ilocos Norte and Ilocos Sur consistently had
stranding events in most seasons (Figure 16). In terms of month, stranding occurrences in the Ilocos
region from 2019 to 2020 had been observed to peak in March (2020, n=5) and May (2019, n=3; 2020,
n=2; Figure 17).
There were 14 marine mammal species recorded in this region as shown in Figure 18. The pygmy
sperm whale (Kogia breviceps) recorded the most stranding frequency (n=5). It was followed by
pantropical spotted dolphin (Stenella attenuata), Fraser’s dolphin (Lagenodelphis hosei), dwarf sperm
whale (Kogia sima), and spinner dolphin (Stenella longirostris) with a total of 3 stranding frequency
for each species. The stranding events documented a total of 28 individuals. There were 25 single and
1 mass stranding events. The mass stranding event occurred in 2020 which involved a male and a
female dwarf sperm whale adult (Kogia sima; Figure 19).
25
FIGURE 12. DISTRIBUTION OF STRANDINGS FROM 2019 TO 2020 IN ILOCOS REGION.
26
FIGURE 13. NUMBER OF STRANDINGS WITHIN 15 X 15 KM FROM 2005 TO 2020 IN ILOCOS REGION.
27
7
6
6
5 5
5
Stranding frequency
4
4
3 2019
3
2020
2
2
1
1
0
Ilocos Norte Ilocos Sur La Union Pangasinan
Province
FIGURE 14. STRANDINGS PER PROVINCE FROM 2019 AND 2020 IN ILOCOS REGION.
5
5
Stranding frequency
3 NE
222 2 2 22 Lull before SW

2
SW
1 11 1 1 11 Lull before NE
1
0
2019 2020 2019 2020 2019 2020 2019 2020
Province
FIGURE 15. MONSOONAL DISTRIBUTION OF STRANDINGS FROM 2019 AND 2020 IN ILOCOS REGION.
28
4.5
4
4
3.5
3
Stranding frequency
3
2.5 DJF
222 2 2 2
2 JJA
MAM
1.5 SON
1 11 1 1 11
1
0.5
0
2019 2020 2019 2020 2019 2020 2019 2020
Province
FIGURE 16. SEASONAL DISTRIBUTION OF STRANDINGS FROM 2019 AND 2020 IN ILOCOS REGION.
6
5
5
4
4
Stranding frequency
3
3
2 22 2 2 2019
2
2020
11 1 1
1
Month
FIGURE 17. MONTHLY DISTRIBUTION OF STRANDINGS FROM 2019 AND 2020 IN ILOCOS REGION.
29

Striped dolphin 1
Risso's dolphin 1
Species
Spinner dolphin 1 2 2019
Cuvier's beaked whale 1 2020
Dwarf sperm whale 1 2
Sperm whale 1
Fraser's dolphin 1 2
Pygmy sperm whale 2 3
Pantropical spotted dolphin 1 2
0 1 2 3 4
Stranding frequency
FIGURE 18. STRANDED MARINE MAMMAL SPECIES FROM 2019 AND 2020 IN ILOCOS REGION.
7
6
6
5 5
5
Stranding frequency
4
4
3 Single
2 2
2 Mass
1 1
1
0
2019 2020 2019 2020 2019 2020 2019 2020
Province
FIGURE 19. STRANDING EVENT CATEGORIES FROM 2019 AND 2020 IN ILOCOS REGION.
30
REGION II (CAGAYAN VALLEY)
The Cagayan Valley Region had the 7th highest number of stranding occurrences from 2019 to 2020
nationwide tied with Central Luzon and Caraga Region (n=11, see Table 3). The distribution of the
recorded stranding incidences is shown in Figure 20. A total of 11 stranding events were documented
for the past two years in Region 2. Five (5) incidences were observed during the year of 2020 while 6
were recorded in 2019. Nine (9) of the 11 stranding events occurred in the province of Cagayan. The
other two stranding events recorded were in Batanes, one of each in 2019 and 2020. Stranding cases
in Cagayan province were one stranding event higher in the year 2019 (n=5) than in 2020 (n=4; Figure
22).
Areas in Region II where stranding of marine mammals clustered are shown in Figure 21. A total of 17
(15 x 15 km) grids contained stranding data points recorded from 2005 to 2020. Of the 17 grids with
stranding data, 2 grids had greater than or equal to 13 incidences. The two grids were located along
the coasts of Claveria and Sta Ana, Cagayan. The remaining grids consisted of the 12 grids and 3 grids
which had 1 to 4 strandings and 5 to 8 stranding records, respectively.
In terms of monsoonal period, strandings in the region mostly occurred during the Southwest
monsoon (n=6). There were 4 stranding events during the Northeast monsoon and one during the lull
before NE monsoon. Majority of the strandings during the Southwest monsoon occurred in the
Cagayan province (n=4) and two from Batanes. The only stranding during the inter-monsoon occurred
in Cagayan in 2019 (Figure 23).
Stranding events were highest during the JJA season (n=5), while the rest of the seasons each had 2
strandings in the region in the past 2 years. The Cagayan province steadily had recorded stranding in
all seasons of both years. All strandings that occurred in Batanes were documented only during the
JJA season (Figure 24). The months of March, June, and August had the highest number of recorded
stranding events (n=2) in the region as shown in Figure 25.
A total of 8 marine mammal species have been recorded to strand in Region II (Figure 26). The Fraser’s
dolphin (Lagenodelphis hosei, n=4) was the most frequent species to strand. Additionally, all these
recorded stranding incidences were categorized as single events (Figure 27).
31
FIGURE 20. DISTRIBUTION OF STRANDINGS FROM 2019 TO 2020 IN CAGAYAN VALLEY REGION.
32
FIGURE 21. NUMBER OF STRANDINGS WITHIN 15 X 15 KM FROM 2005 TO 2020 IN CAGAYAN VALLEY REGION.
33
5
5
4
Stranding frequency
3
2019
2020
2
1 1
1
0
Batanes Cagayan
Province
FIGURE 22. STRANDINGS PER PROVINCE FROM 2019 AND 2020 CAGAYAN VALLEY REGION.
3.5
3 3
3
2.5
Stranding frequency
2
NE
1.5 Lull before SW
1 1 1 1 1
1 SW
Lull before NE
0.5
0
2019 2020 2019 2020
Batanes Cagayan
Province
FIGURE 23. MONSOONAL DISTRIBUTION OF STRANDINGS FROM 2019 AND 2020 IN CAGAYAN VALLEY REGION.
34
2.5
2
2
Stranding frequency
1.5
DJF
1 1 1 1 1 JJA
1 MAM
SON
0.5
0
2019 2020 2019 2020
Batanes Cagayan
Province
FIGURE 24. SEASONAL DISTRIBUTION OF STRANDINGS FROM 2019 AND 2020 IN CAGAYAN VALLEY REGION.
2.5
2 2 2
2
Stranding frequency
1.5
1 1 1 1 1
1 2019
2020
0.5
Month
FIGURE 25. MONTHLY DISTRIBUTION OF STRANDINGS FROM 2019 AND 2020 IN CAGAYAN VALLEY REGION.
35
Spinner dolphin 1
Risso's dolphin 1
Species
2019
Bryde's whale 1
2020
Pygmy sperm whale 1
Fraser's dolphin 1
3
0 1 2 3 4
Stranding frequency
FIGURE 26. STRANDED MARINE MAMMAL SPECIES FROM 2019 AND 2020 IN CAGAYAN VALLEY REGION.
5
5
4
Stranding frequency
2 Single
1 1
1
0
2019 2020 2019 2020
Batanes Cagayan
Province
FIGURE 27. STRANDING EVENT CATEGORIES FROM 2019 TO 2020 IN CAGAYAN VALLEY REGION.
36
REGION III (CENTRAL LUZON)
The Central Luzon Region recorded a total of 11 stranding occurrences from 2019 and 2020 tied with
Cagayan Valley and Caraga as the regions with 7th highest stranding occurrences nationwide from 2019
to 2020 (see Table 3). There were 4 and 7 stranding events recorded in 2019 and 2020, respectively.
The spread of these events is shown in Figure 28. Relative to the other provinces of the region, Bataan
(n=7) had the highest stranding frequency documented (Figure 30). Of the 7 stranding cases in the
area, 4 occurred in 2020 and the 3 were recorded in 2019. The province of Zambales and Aurora had
3 and 1 stranding events recorded that have occurred in 2020 and 2019, respectively.
The clusters of marine mammal stranding areas from 2005 to 2020 in Region III is shown in Figure 29.
A total of 23 grids had stranding incidences recorded. Seventeen (17) of the 23 grids had 1 to 4
stranding cases and the remaining had 5 to 8 cases. The municipality of Morong, Bataan recorded the
highest number of stranding frequencies for the entire region (n=7).
Stranding events in Central Luzon occurred most frequently during the Winter Inter-monsoon season
(n=6; Figure 31). Most of the stranding events in this season were recorded in Zambales in 2020.
Bataan had both 2 stranding events during the Northeast monsoon in 2019 and Southwest monsoon
in 2020.
In terms of seasonality, the MAM season had the most strandings with a total of 6 events distributed
across the provinces of Region III. It was notable that most seasons in Bataan had at least one stranding
event in both years. Meanwhile, Aurora and Zambales only had strandings during the MAM season
(Figure 32).
Six (6) of the 12 months had reported stranding occurrences in the region as shown in Figure 33. Most
of the stranding occurrences were concentrated in the months of April (2019, n=1; 2020, n=2), May
(2019, n=1; 2020, n=2), and June (2020, n=2). The rest of the months had only one occurrence each.
In terms of marine mammal species assemblage in the region, a total of 7 species were recorded.
There were 2 stranding occurrences for each species of an unidentified balaenopterid, short-finned
pilot whale, Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphin, and Fraser’s dolphin (Figure 34). The strandings recorded
were all categorized as single events as shown in Figure 35.
37
FIGURE 28. DISTRIBUTION OF STRANDINGS FROM 2019 TO 2020 IN CENTRAL LUZON REGION.
38
FIGURE 29. NUMBER OF STRANDINGS WITHIN 15 X 15 KM FROM 2005 TO 2020 IN CENTRAL LUZON REGION.
39
4.5
4
4
3.5
3 3
Stranding frequency
2.5
2019
2
2020
1.5
1
1
0.5
0
Aurora Bataan Zambales
Province
FIGURE 30. STRANDINGS PER PROVINCE FROM 2019 AND 2020 IN CENTRAL LUZON REGION.
3.5
3
3
2.5
Stranding frequency
2 2
2
NE
1.5 Lull before SW
1 1 1 1
1 SW
Lull before NE
0.5
0
2019 2020 2019 2020 2019 2020
Province
FIGURE 31. MONSOONAL DISTRIBUTION OF STRANDINGS FROM 2019 AND 2020 IN CENTRAL LUZON REGION.
40
3.5
3
Stranding frequency
2.5
2
2
DJF
1.5 JJA
MAM
1
1 SON
0.5
0
2019 2020 2019 2020 2019 2020
Province
FIGURE 32. SEASONAL DISTRIBUTION OF STRANDINGS FROM 2019 AND 2020 IN CENTRAL LUZON REGION.
2.5
2 2 2
2
Stranding frequency
1.5
1 1 1 1 1
1 2019
2020
0.5
Month
FIGURE 33. MONTHLY DISTRIBUTION OF STRANDINGS FROM 2019 AND 2020 IN CENTRAL LUZON REGION.
41
Fraser's dolphin 2
Dwarf sperm whale 1
Risso's dolphin 1
Species
Pantropical spotted dophin 1 2019

2020
1
Unidentified balaenopterid 2
0 0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5 3

Stranding frequency
FIGURE 34. STRANDED MARINE MAMMAL SPECIES FROM 2019 AND 2020 IN CENTRAL LUZON REGION.
4.5
4
4
3.5
3 3
Stranding frequency
2.5
1.5 Single
1
1
0.5
0
2019 2020 2019 2020 2019 2020
Province
FIGURE 35. STRANDING EVENT CATEGORIES FROM 2019 TO 2020 IN CENTRAL LUZON REGION.
42
REGION IV-A (CALABARZON)
The CALABARZON region was one of the regions with the least stranding frequencies (n=8)
particularly, only 3 events in 2019 and 5 in 2020. The location of each stranding occurrence is shown
in Figure 36. There are 3 and 5 stranding incidences reported in 2019 and 2020, respectively. Of the 8
stranding occurrences in Region IV-A, 6 were documented in the province of Quezon and 2 in Batangas
(Figure 38).
Marine mammal stranding concentration from 2005 to 2020 in the region is shown in Figure 37. A
total of 32 15 x 15 km grids had stranding incidence recorded in this region. Of the 32 grids, 29 grids
had 1 to 4 stranding events, 3 grids had 5 to 8 stranding events, and no grid with more than or equal
to 9 stranding events.
Most of the stranding events in CALABARZON were recorded during the Northeast monsoon (n=4).
The Southwest and Inter-monsoon before SW season had the same number of stranding occurrences
(n=2). The distribution of stranding events per province per season is shown in Figure 39. In Quezon
province, stranding events recorded were at the maximum during the Northeast monsoon (n=3) in
2020, followed by the Winter Inter-monsoon in 2019 (n=1) and Southwest monsoon in 2020 (n=1).
Batangas had only 1 stranding case each reported during the Northeast monsoon and Winter Inter-
monsoon of 2019, and 1 case in the Southwest monsoon in 2020.
In the case of seasonal distribution (Figure 40), most standing cases in the region occurred in DJF
season (n=4) which were all documented in Quezon province. There were 2 cases during the MAM
season located in Batangas and Quezon. One incidence each occurred during JJA and SON season that
is found in Batangas and Quezon, respectively.
The general trend of marine mammal stranding per month in the region is shown in Figure 41. The
highest stranding events (n=2) were recorded in April and February. Only one stranding each was
documented in the months of January, April, August, September, and December; all these strandings
occurred in 2020.
In terms of species diversity in the CALABARZON region, there were only 5 marine mammal species
that have been recorded to strand (Figure 41). Pygmy sperm whale (Kogia breviceps) and Cuvier’s
beaked whale (Ziphius cavirostris) were the most frequent strander in the region. Each of these species
had 3 and 2 reported stranding cases, respectively. All stranding occurrences recorded in this region
were categorized as single events (Figure 43).
43
FIGURE 36. DISTRIBUTION OF STRANDINGS FROM 2019 TO 2020 IN CALABARZON REGION.
44
FIGURE 37. NUMBER OF STRANDINGS WITHIN 15 X 15 KM FROM 2005 TO 2020 IN CALABARZON REGION.
45
4.5
4
4
3.5
Stranding frequency
2.5
2
2019
2
2020
1.5
1 1
1
0.5
0
Batangas Quezon
Province
FIGURE 38. STRANDINGS PER PROVINCE FROM 2019 AND 2020 IN CALABARZON REGION.
3.5
3
3
2.5
Stranding frequency
2
NE
1.5 Lull before SW
1 1 1 1 1
1 SW
Lull before NE
0.5
0
2019 2020 2019 2020
Batangas Quezon
Province
FIGURE 39. MONSOONAL DISTRIBUTION OF STRANDINGS FROM 2019 TO 2020 IN CALABARZON REGION.
46
3.5
3
3
Stranding frequency
2.5
2
DJF
1.5 JJA
MAM
1 1 1 1 1
1 SON
0.5
0
2019 2020 2019 2020
Batangas Quezon
Province
FIGURE 40. SEASONAL DISTRIBUTION OF STRANDINGS FROM 2019 TO 2020 IN CALABARZON REGION.
2.5
2
2
Stranding frequency
1.5
1 11 1 1 1
1 2019
2020
0.5
Month
FIGURE 41. MONTHLY DISTRIBUTION OF STRANDINGS FROM 2019 TO 2020 IN CALABARZON REGION.
47
1
Pantropical spotted dophin
1
Striped dolphin
Species
Fraser's dolphin
1 2019
2020
1
Pygmy sperm whale
2
Cuvier's beaked whale

2
0 0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5 3

Stranding frequency
FIGURE 42. STRANDED MARINE MAMMAL SPECIES FROM 2019 TO 2020 N CALABARZON REGION.
4.5
4
4
3.5
Stranding frequency
2.5
2
2
Single
1.5
1 1
1
0.5
0
2019 2020 2019 2020
Batangas Quezon
Province
FIGURE 43. STRANDING EVENT CATEGORIES FROM 2019 TO 2020 IN CALABARZON REGION.
48
REGION IV-B (MIMAROPA)
The MIMAROPA Region had the 4th highest recorded stranding frequency from 2019 to 2020 (n=22).
Of the 22 stranding events, 14 occurred in 2019 and 8 in 2020. The locations of the stranding
incidences recorded for the past 2 years are shown in Figure 44. Apparently, Palawan was still the
hottest province region wide. It contributed the most in terms of the number of stranding cases
recorded in the region (n=10). There were more stranding events recorded in this province in 2019
(n=7) than in 2020 (n=3). On the contrary, Romblon (2019, n=1; 2020, n=1) and Marinduque (2019,
n=3) provinces had the least stranding contribution (Figure 46).
Areas where marine mammal strandings clustered are shown in Figure 45. A total of 43 grids had
stranding data. Of the 43 grids, 4 grids had 5 to 8 standing incidences recorded from 2005 to 2020.
These grids were in the municipalities of Puerto Princesa and Busuanga in Palawan and Looc and
Odiongan in Romblon. The rest of the grids had 1 to 4 stranding cases reported.
Stranding frequency in the region from 2019 to 2020 appeared to peak during the Southwest monsoon
(n=8) and lull before SW (n=7). On the other hand, fewer strandings were recorded during the
Northeast monsoon (n=5) and lull before NE (n=1). The province of Palawan followed the general
trend of monsoonal stranding variation of the region as shown in Figure 47. High stranding frequency
in this province was recorded during the Southwest monsoon in both 2019 and 2020 (n=3) and during
the lull before SW monsoon in 2019 (n=3). Occidental Mindoro followed Palawan in terms of
monsoonal distribution in Region IV-B. It had the highest stranding occurrences (n=3) during the
Northeast monsoon in 2020. Meanwhile, the province of Romblon had 2 stranding events, one of each
during the lull before SW and lull before NE. Marinduque had one stranding event reported during the
NE monsoon.
For seasonal distribution, most of the stranding events in the region occurred during the JJA and MAM
season (n=8; Figure 48). Both Palawan and Occidental Mindoro had cases in most seasons, with the
former having had the highest cases (n=3) during the JJA and MAM season. The latter had most cases
during the MAM season as well.
Additionally, the general trend of stranding events per month is shown in Figure 49. Strandings were
observed in almost all months, except in December. Most of the stranding events reported occurred
in the months of July (n=5), followed by May (n=4), and April (n=3).
In terms of species assemblage in the region, 10 species of marine mammals documented to strand
(Figure 50). Dugong (Dugong dugon) has been the most frequent species to strand for the past 2 years
(n=6). This frequency was less than half of the stranding occurrences of dugongs in the previous report
(Aragones et al. 2019). The Risso’s dolphin (Grampus griseus) and the pygmy sperm whale (Kogia
breviceps) were tied as the second most frequent stranders in the region with 3 records each. Most of
the recorded stranding incidences in the region involved single events (Figure 51). Only one mass
stranding event occurred in Occidental Mindoro in 2020 involving two adult Risso’s dolphins (Grampus
griseus).
49
FIGURE 44. DISTRIBUTION OF STRANDINGS FROM 2019 TO 2020 IN MIMAROPA REGION.
50
FIGURE 45. NUMBER OF STRANDINGS WITHIN 15 X 15 KM FROM 2005 TO 2020 IN MIMAROPA REGION.
51
8
7
7
6
Stranding frequency
5
4
4
2019
3 3 3
3 2020
2
1 1
1
0
Marinduque Occidental Mindoro Palawan Romblon
Province
FIGURE 46. STRANDINGS PER PROVINCE FROM 2019 TO 2020 IN MIMAROPA REGION.
3.5
3 33 3
3
2.5
Stranding frequency
2 2
2
NE
1.5
1 1 1 1 1 Lull before SW
1
SW
0.5 Lull before NE
0
2019 2020 2019 2020 2019 2020 2019 2020
Marinduque Occidental Palawan Romblon
Mindoro
Province
FIGURE 47. MONSOONAL DISTRIBUTION OF STRANDINGS FROM 2019 TO 2020 IN MIMAROPA REGION.
52
3.5
33
3
Stranding frequency
2.5
2 2 2
2
DJF
1.5 JJA
1 1 1 111 1 1 1 1 MAM
1 SON
0.5
0
2019 2020 2019 2020 2019 2020 2019 2020
Marinduque Occidental Palawan Romblon
Mindoro
Province
FIGURE 48. SEASONAL DISTRIBUTION OF STRANDINGS FROM 2019 TO 2020 IN MIMAROPA REGION.
4.5
4
4
3.5
3 3
3
Stranding frequency
2.5
2
2
2019
1.5
1 1 1 1 11 1 1 11 2020
1
0.5
Month
FIGURE 49. MONTHLY DISTRIBUTION OF STRANDINGS FROM 2019 AND 2020 IN MIMAROPA REGION.
53
Omura's whale 1

1

Species
1 2019
2020
Spinner dolphin 2
Pygmy sperm whale 2

1
Risso's dolphin 2
1
Dugong 4
2
0 1 2 3 4 5
Stranding frequency
FIGURE 50. STRANDED MARINE MAMMAL SPECIES FROM 2019 TO 2020 IN MIMAROPA REGION.
8
7
7
6
Stranding frequency
4
3 3 3 3
3 Single
Mass
2
1 1 1
1
0
2019 2020 2019 2020 2019 2020 2019 2020
Marinduque Occidental Mindoro Palawan Romblon
Province
FIGURE 51. STRANDING EVENT CATEGORIES FROM 2019 TO 2020 IN MIMAROPA REGION.
REGION V (BICOL REGION)
The Bicol Region remained the region with the highest number of reported stranding events from
2019 to 2020 together with Region I (n=26). Both years had a stranding frequency of 13. A map of the
54
spread of stranding incidences documented is shown in Figure 52. Among the provinces, Camarines
Sur had the highest number of strandings (n=7). It was followed by Camarines Norte (n=6), Masbate
(n=5), and Sorsogon (n=4). Catanduanes and Albay had the least number of stranding events (n=3 and
n=1, respectively; Figure 54).
The clusters of the recorded stranding events in the region from 2005 to 2020 is shown in Figure 53.
A total of 64 grids each with 15 x 15 km wide overlapped with stranding data. Six (6) of these grids had
5 to 8 stranding events which were in the municipalities of Mobo in Masbate, Donsol, Gubat, Bulusan,
and Pilar in Sorsogon, and Sto Domingo in Albay. One (1) grid had 9 to 12 stranding events located in
Del Gallego, Camarines Sur. The remaining grids had 1 to 4 stranding cases documented.
In terms of monsoonal distribution, high stranding frequency from 2019 to 2020 in the region was
recorded during the Northeast monsoon (n=13) followed by both Winter Inter-monsoon (n=5) and
Southwest monsoon (n=5). Camarines Sur had stranding events in all monsoons in which incidences
were highest during the Northeast monsoon (n=3). Furthermore, Northeast monsoon frequencies
were highest in the province of Camarines Norte (n=4). The only incident in Albay occurred during the
Northeast monsoon as well.
Majority of the stranding events in terms of seasonal distribution occurred during the SON season
(n=10). Subsequently, DJF had 7 strandings, MAM had 6, and JJA had 3. Camarines Sur had recorded
strandings in all seasons of consistent frequencies except during the JJA season. Camarines Norte and
Masbate similarly had strandings in three out of four seasons (Figure 56). In terms of monthly
distribution, stranding events were observed in almost all months except in the month of July. The
highest stranding event occurred in October (n=5), followed by the month of February (n=4), March
(n=3), and April (n=3; Figure 57).
A total of 14 marine mammal species have recorded to strand in the region (Figure 58). Spinner
dolphins (Stenella longirostris) had the highest stranding frequency documented (n=6). Additionally,
most of the stranding events in the region were categorized as single as shown in Figure 59. One (1)
out of habitat stranding event occurred in Brgy Bon-ot, San Andres Catanduanes which involved
melon-headed whales (Peponocephala electra).
55
FIGURE 52. DISTRIBUTION OF STRANDINGS FROM 2019 TO 2020 IN BICOL REGION.
56
FIGURE 53. NUMBER OF STRANDINGS WITHIN 15 X 15 KM FROM 2005 TO 2020 IN BICOL REGION.
57
5
5
4
Stranding frequency
3 3 3
3
2019
2 2 2 2020
2
1 1
1
0
Albay Camarines Camarines Catanduanes Masbate Sorsogon
Norte Sur
Province
FIGURE 54. STRANDINGS PER PROVINCE FROM 2019 TO 2020 IN BICOL REGION.
3.5
3
3
2.5
2 2 2 2 2
Stranding frequency
2
NE
1.5
1 1 1 1 11 11 1 1 11 1 Lull before SW
1
SW
0.5
Lull before NE
0
2019 2020 2019 2020 2019 2020 2019 2020 2019 2020 2019 2020
Norte Sur
Province
FIGURE 55. MONSOONAL DISTRIBUTION OF STRANDINGS FROM 2019 TO 2020 IN BICOL REGION.
58
3.5
3
3
Stranding frequency
2.5
2 2 2 2 2 2
2
DJF
1.5 JJA
1 1 1 11 1 1 111 1 MAM
1 SON
0.5
0
2019 2020 2019 2020 2019 2020 2019 2020 2019 2020 2019 2020
Norte Sur
Province
FIGURE 56. SEASONAL DISTRIBUTION OF STRANDINGS FROM 2019 TO 2020 IN BICOL REGION.
4.5
4
4
3.5
3
Stranding frequency
2.5
22 2 2 2 2 2
2
2019
1.5
11 1 1 1 1 1 1 2020
1
0.5
Month
FIGURE 57. MONTHLY DISTRIBUTION OF STRANDINGS FROM 2019 TO 2020 IN BICOL REGION.
59
Risso's dolphin 2
Striped dolphin 1
Bryde's whale 1
Pygmy sperm whale 1 2
Dugong 1
Species
Dwarf sperm whale 1

Pantropical spotted dophin 1 2019
Cuvier's beaked whale 1 2020
1
Sperm whale 1
1
Spinner dolphin 3
3
0 1 2 3 4
Stranding frequency
FIGURE 58. STRANDED MARINE MAMMAL SPECIES FROM 2019 TO 2020 IN BICOL REGION.
5
5
4
4
Stranding frequency
3 3 3
3
2 2 2 Single
2
Out of habitat
1 1
1
0
2019 2020 2019 2020 2019 2020 2019 2020 2019 2020 2019 2020
Norte Sur
Province
FIGURE 59. STRANDING EVENT CATEGORIES FROM 2019 TO 2020 IN BICOL REGION.
60
REGION VI (WESTERN VISAYAS)
Western Visayas Region had the second highest number of reported stranding cases nationwide from
2019 to 2020 (n=25; see Table 3). There were 13 stranding events recorded in 2019 and 12 events in
2020. The locations of these stranding events from 2019 to 2020 are shown in Figure 60. Of the 25
stranding events recorded in the region, majority were in Negros Occidental (n=10) and 6 occurrences
in Aklan. There are 3 stranding events in both Antique and Iloilo, two in Guimaras, and one in Capiz
(Figure 62).
Clusters of stranding incidences reported in the region from 2005 to 2020 are shown in Figure 61. A
total of 35 grids (15 x 15 km) contained stranding events. Three (3) of the 35 grids recorded 5 to 8
stranding occurrences. One (1) grid had 9 to 12 stranding occurrences located in Bago City, Negros
Occidental. The rest of the grids had 1 to 4 stranding frequency.
In terms of monsoonal periods, most of the stranding events occurred during the Northeast monsoon
(n=12), followed by the Southwest monsoon (n=8). There were 4 stranding events during the Winter
Inter-monsoon and 1 stranding event during the Spring Inter-monsoon. In provincial level by season
as shown in Figure 63, the highest frequency occurred during the Northeast (n=5) and Southwest
monsoon (n=4) in Negros Occidental. Aklan consistently had stranding events in all seasons while Capiz
with one stranding event occurred during the Southwest monsoon.
By seasonality, it is evident in Figure 64 that most of the stranding events occurred during the MAM
(n=8) and DJF (n=7) seasons. Five (5) events occurred during the JJA and SON season each. Most cases
in Negros Occidental occurred during the DJF season. Furthermore, stranding events in the province
occurred in all seasons.
The general trend of marine mammal stranding in the region per month is shown in Figure 65. As can
be observed, stranding events were highest (n=4) in the months of January, March, and July. No
stranding event was recorded in the month of June.
There was a total of 12 marine mammal species that have been recorded to strand along the coastline
of the region (Figure 66). Dugong (Dugong dugon) was recorded to be the most frequent strander in
the region for the past two years (n=6). These stranding events were primarily categorized as single
as shown in Figure 67. There were two mass stranding events reported in the region. One event was
documented in 2019 in Brgy. Gargato, Hinigaran in Negros Occidental wherein three (3) calves of
pygmy killer whale (Feresa attenuata) were found to strand. The second event was recorded in Brgy
Guinsang-an, Hamtic Antique in 2020. Two (2) adult female short-finned pilot whales (Globicephala
macrorhynchus) were recorded to strand in the area.
61
FIGURE 60. DISTRIBUTION OF STRANDINGS FROM 2019 AND 2020 IN WESTERN VISAYAS REGION.
62
FIGURE 61. NUMBER OF STRANDINGS WITHIN 15 X 15 KM FROM 2005 TO 2020 IN WESTERN VISAYAS REGION.
63
6
6
5
Stranding frequency
4
4
3 3
3 2019
2020
2 2 2
2
1 1 1
1
0
Aklan Antique Capiz Guimaras Iloilo Negros
Occidental
Province
FIGURE 62. STRANDINGS PER PROVINCE FROM 2019 TO 2020 IN WESTERN VISAYAS REGION.
3.5
3 3
3
2.5
Stranding frequency
2 2
2
NE
1.5
11 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 11 1 1 1 Lull before SW
1
SW
0.5 Lull before NE
0
2019 2020 2019 2020 2019 2020 2019 2020 2019 2020 2019 2020
Occidental
Province
FIGURE 63. MONSOONAL DISTRIBUTION OF STRANDINGS FROM 2019 TO 2020 IN WESTERN VISAYAS REGION.
64
2.5
2 22 2
2
Stranding frequency
1.5
DJF
1 11 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 11 11 JJA
1
MAM
SON
0.5
0
2019 2020 2019 2020 2019 2020 2019 2020 2019 2020 2019 2020
Occidental
Province
FIGURE 64. SEASONAL DISTRIBUTION OF STRANDINGS FROM 2019 TO 2020 IN WESTERN VISAYAS REGION.
3.5
3
3
2.5
Stranding frequency
2 22 2 22 2
2
1.5
2019
1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
1 2020
0.5
Month
FIGURE 65. MONTHLY DISTRIBUTION OF STRANDINGS FROM 2019 TO 2020 IN WESTERN VISAYAS REGION.
65
Pygmy killer whale 1
Fraser's dolphin 1
4
Risso's dolphin 1

Species
Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphin 1 2019

2
2020
Dwarf sperm whale 2
Spinner dolphin 5
0 1 2 3 4 5 6
Stranding frequency
FIGURE 66. STRANDED MARINE MAMMAL SPECIES FROM 2019 TO 2020 IN WESTERN VISAYAS REGION.
6
5
5
4
4
Stranding frequency
3 3
3
2 2 Single
2
Mass
1 11 1 1 1
1
0
2019 2020 2019 2020 2019 2020 2019 2020 2019 2020 2019 2020
Occidental
Province
FIGURE 67. STRANDING EVENT CATEGORIES FROM 2019 TO 2020 IN WESTERN VISAYAS REGION.
66
REGION VII (CENTRAL VISAYAS)
The Central Visayas region ranked 3rd highest in terms of stranding frequency for 2019 to 2020 (see
Table 3). The region had a total of 23 stranding events reported for that period. Thirteen (13) occurred
in the year 2019 while the 10 events occurred in 2020. The locations of the stranding cases reported
are shown in Figure 68. The province of Cebu had the most stranding incidents in the region (n=9), 8
events were documented in 2019 and one event in 2020. It was followed by Negros Oriental and Bohol
with 7 and 5 total stranding frequency, respectively. Siquijor had a total of 2 recorded stranding events
(Figure 70).
The clustering of areas where marine mammals stranded in Region VII from 2005 to 2020 are shown
in Figure 69. A total of 43 grids that overlapped with marine mammal stranding events. Most of these
grids had 1 to 4 stranding records (n=35) and 8 grids had 5 to 8 stranding events. The 8 areas indicated
by the 15 x 15 km grid with 5 to 8 stranding incidences were in Siquijor and Larena in Siquijor,
Dumaguete City, San Jose, and Dauin in Negros Oriental, Baclayon in Bohol, and Talisay City and Lapu
Lapu City in Cebu.
Most of the stranding events recorded from 2019 to 2020 in the region occurred during the Northeast
monsoon (n=10), followed by a lull before SW (n=7). Five (5) strandings were recorded during the
Southwest monsoon, while there was one recorded event during the lull before NE. The stranding
incidence reported in Cebu occurred during the Northeast (n=4), Southwest (n=3), and lull before SW
(n=2) monsoons. Five (5) stranding events during lull before SW and 2 during the Northeast monsoon
occurred in Negros Oriental. Two (2) of the stranding cases in Siquijor occurred during the Northeast
monsoon (Figure 71).
The seasonal distribution in the region is shown in Figure 72. Majority of the stranding cases were
found during the MAM season (n=12). Five (5) of the events occurred during the DJF season, 4 during
the JJA season, and 2 during the SON season. Six (6) of the 9 strandings in Cebu were documented
during the MAM season and the rest during the JJA season. In Negros Oriental, 5 strandings occurred
during the MAM season and 2 during the DJF season.
High stranding cases in this region in the months of March (n=5) and April (n=5) can be observed in
Figure 64. There were 3 cases each in the months of February and June. No strandings occurred in
July, November, and December (Figure 73)
In terms of species composition, a total of 9 marine mammal species were recorded to strand in the
region (Figure 74). The Spinner dolphin (Stenella longirostris, n=5) and the Fraser’s dolphin
(Lagenodelphis hosei, n=5) had the highest frequency recorded among the other species. In addition,
most of the recorded stranding incidences in the region were categorically single events (Figure 75).
67
FIGURE 68. DISTRIBUTION OF STRANDINGS FROM 2019 TO 2020 IN CENTRAL VISAYAS REGION.
68
FIGURE 69. NUMBER OF STRANDINGS WITHIN 15 X 15 KM FROM 2005 TO 2020 IN CENTRAL VISAYAS REGION.
69
9
8
8
7
Stranding frequency
5
4 4 2019
4
3 2020
3
2
1 1 1 1
1
0
Bohol Cebu Negros Oriental Siquijor
Province
FIGURE 70. STRANDINGS PER PROVINCE FROM 2019 TO 2020 IN CENTRAL VISAYAS REGION.
4.5
4
4
3.5
3 3
3
Stranding frequency
2.5
2 2 NE
2
Lull before SW
1.5
1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
1 SW
0.5 Lull before NE
0
2019 2020 2019 2020 2019 2020 2019 2020
Province
FIGURE 71. MONSOONAL DISTRIBUTION OF STRANDINGS FROM 2019 TO 2020 IN CENTRAL VISAYAS REGION.
70
6
5
5
Stranding frequency
4
3 3 DJF
3 JJA
2 2 MAM
2 SON
1 11 1 1 1 1 1
1
0
2019 2020 2019 2020 2019 2020 2019 2020
Province
FIGURE 72. SEASONAL DISTRIBUTION OF STRANDINGS FROM 2019 TO 2020 IN CENTRAL VISAYAS REGION.
6
5
5
4
Stranding frequency
3 3
3
2 2 2019
2
2020
11 1 11 1 1 1
1
Month
FIGURE 73. MONTHLY DISTRIBUTION OF STRANDINGS FROM 2019 TO 2020 IN CENTRAL VISAYAS REGION.
71
Fraser's dolphin 1
4
Risso's dolphin 1

Species

2 2019

3
Dwarf sperm whale 2
Spinner dolphin 5
0 1 2 3 4 5 6
Stranding frequency
FIGURE 74. STRANDED MARINE MAMMAL SPECIES FROM 2019 TO 2020 IN CENTRAL VISAYAS REGION.
9
8
8
7
Stranding frequency
5
4 4
4
3
3 Single
2
1 1 1 1
1
0
2019 2020 2019 2020 2019 2020 2019 2020
Province
FIGURE 75. STRANDING EVENT CATEGORIES FROM 2019 TO 2020 IN CENTRAL VISAYAS REGION.
72
REGION VIII (EASTERN VISAYAS)
The Eastern Visayas had a total of 16 stranding events recorded from 2019 to 2020. This region ranked
as 5th highest stranding frequency. There were relatively higher stranding reports in 2019 (n=9) than
in 2020 (n=7). The locations of these reported stranding cases are shown in Figure 76. The province of
Southern Leyte had the highest number of stranding records (n=6) among all the provinces in Region
VIII. It was followed by Leyte (n=4), Samar (n=3), Northern Samar (n=2), and Biliran (n=1). Stranding
frequencies in Southern Leyte were consistent in the past two years, while Leyte peaked in the year
2019 (Figure 78). The only stranding incident documented in Biliran occurred in 2020.
Stranding occurrences documented from 2005 to 2020 in the region was mapped and the
concentration within the 15 x 15 km grid is shown in Figure 77. There were no stranding hotspots in
the region. All 32 grids had 1 to 4 stranding reports recorded.
High stranding frequency from 2019 to 2020 was observed during the Southwest monsoon (n=7),
followed by the Northeast monsoon (n=5), and lull before SW (n=4). The seasonal stranding
distribution per province is shown in Figure 79. Most stranding events in Southern Leyte and Leyte
occurred during the Southwest monsoon.
Meanwhile, by seasonality, the MAM season had the highest stranding frequency (n=7). Subsequently,
the JJA season had 4 stranding events, SON season had 3, and the DJF season had 2. Both Southern
Leyte and Biliran had standings in all seasons across the two-year period. Southern Leyte had the
maximum frequencies during the MAM and SON seasons (Figure 80).
Figure 81 shows the monthly trends from 2019 to 2020 in the region. It can be observed that stranding
events were highest in the months of March (n=3), April (n=3), and September (n=3). No strandings
occurred in January, June, October, November, and December.
Marine mammal species recorded to strand in Eastern Visayas are shown in Figure 82. There were 7
species documented that had stranded in the region. Spinner dolphin (Stenella longirostris) was
considered the most frequent strander (n=6), followed by melon-headed whale (Peponocephala
electra; n=3). Additionally, most of the stranding incidents recorded in the region were categorized as
single events as shown in Figure 83.
73
FIGURE 76. DISTRIBUTION OF STRANDINGS FROM 2019 TO 2020 IN EASTERN VISAYAS REGION.
74
FIGURE 77. NUMBER OF STRANDINGS WITHIN 15 X 15 KM FROM 2005 TO 2020 IN EASTERN VISAYAS REGION.
75
3.5
3 3 3
3
Stranding frequency
2.5
2 2
2
2019
1.5
2020
1 1 1
1
0.5
0
Biliran Leyte Northern Samar Samar Southern Leyte
Province
FIGURE 78. STRANDINGS PER PROVINCE FROM 2019 TO 2020 IN EASTERN VISAYAS REGION.
3.5
3
3
2.5
2 2
Stranding frequency
2
NE
1.5
1 1 1 11 1 11 1 Lull before SW
1
SW
0.5
Lull before NE
0
2019 2020 2019 2020 2019 2020 2019 2020 2019 2020
Biliran Leyte Northern Samar Southern Leyte
Samar
Province
FIGURE 79. MONSOONAL DISTRIBUTION OF STRANDINGS FROM 2019 TO 2020 IN EASTERN VISAYAS REGION.
76
2.5
2 2 2
2
Stranding frequency
1.5
DJF
11 1 1 1 1 11 1 1 JJA
1 MAM
SON
0.5
0
2019 2020 2019 2020 2019 2020 2019 2020 2019 2020
Biliran Leyte Northern Samar Samar Southern Leyte
Province
FIGURE 80. SEASONAL DISTRIBUTION OF STRANDINGS FROM 2019 TO 2020 IN EASTERN VISAYAS REGION.
3.5
3
3
2.5
Stranding frequency
2 2 2 2
2
1.5
2019
1 1 11 1
1 2020
0.5
Month
FIGURE 81. MONTHLY DISTRIBUTION OF STRANDINGS FROM 2019 TO 2020 IN EASTERN VISAYAS REGION.
77
Pygmy sperm whale 1

Species
Dwarf sperm whale 1

1 2019
2020
2
Fraser's dolphin 2
Spinner dolphin 4
2
0 1 2 3 4 5
Stranding frequency
FIGURE 82. STRANDED MARINE MAMMAL SPECIES FROM 2019 TO 2020 IN EASTERN VISAYAS REGION.
3.5
3 3 3
3
2.5
Stranding frequency
2 2
2
1.5
1 1 1 Single
1
0.5
0
2019 2020 2019 2020 2019 2020 2019 2020 2019 2020
Biliran Leyte Northern Samar Southern Leyte
Samar
Province
FIGURE 83. STRANDING EVENT CATEGORIES FROM 2019 TO 2020 IN EASTERN VISAYAS REGION.
78
REGION IX (ZAMBOANGA PENINSULA)
The Zamboanga Peninsula ranked 8th highest in terms of stranding frequencies among regions,
together with Region 4A for 2019 to 2020 (see Table 3). There were 8 stranding cases reported in the
region which mostly occurred in 2020 (n=5). The locations of these events were shown in Figure 84.
The province of Zamboanga del Sur contributed the most in terms of reported stranding incidence in
the region (n=4), with all cases occurring in 2020. It is followed by Zamboanga del Norte (n=3) and
Zamboanga Sibugay (n=1; Figure 86).
Areas where stranded marine mammals clustered are shown in Figure 85. Twenty-three (23) grids
with 15 x 15 km wide had stranding records from 2005 to 2020. Three (3) grids had 5 to 8 strandings
located in Zamboanga City, Zamboanga del Sur. One (1) grid had 9 to 12 cases which occurred in
Zamboanga City as well. The rest of the grids had only 1 to 4 stranding cases documented.
In terms of monsoonal patterns of strandings from 2019 to 2020, a total of 4 and 3 incidents of marine
mammals washed ashore during the Northeast and Southwest monsoons, respectively. Three out of
four strandings in Zamboanga del Sur occurred during the Northeast monsoon and the rest occurred
during the Southwest monsoon, both of which in 2020. Only 1 stranding incident occurred during the
Winter Inter-monsoon, which was found in Zamboanga Sibugay (Figure 87).
The most notable trend in the seasonal distribution per province was each stranding event that
occurred in Zamboanga del Sur was evenly distributed across seasons in 2020 (Figure 88). The general
distribution of stranding per month was shown in Figure 89. Stranding during the month of March
(n=2) was recorded to be the highest frequency.
A total of seven (7) marine mammal species have been found to strand in the Zamboanga Peninsula
region (Figure 90). The Risso’s dolphin (Grampus griseus) was the most frequent (n=2). The rest of the
recorded species had one each stranding event across the two-year period, which mostly occurred in
2020.
Most of the stranding incidents involving different species were categorized as single type as shown
in Figure 91. One event was classified as out of habitat in the region. This event involved a Risso’s
dolphin (Grampus griseus) in NSRE Beach, Calarian, Zamboanga City.
79
FIGURE 84. DISTRIBUTION OF STRANDINGS FROM 2019 TO 2020 IN ZAMBOANGA PENINSULA REGION.
80
FIGURE 85. NUMBER OF STRANDINGS WITHIN 15 X 15 KM FROM 2005 TO 2020 IN ZAMBOANGA PENINSULA.
81
4.5
4
4
3.5
Stranding frequency
2.5
2 2019
2
2020
1.5
1 1
1
0.5
0
Zamboanga del Norte Zambuanga Sibugay Zamboanga del Sur
Province
FIGURE 86. STRANDINGS PER PROVINCE FROM 2019 TO 2020 IN ZAMBOANGA PENINSULA.
3.5
3
3
2.5
Stranding frequency
2
NE
1.5
1 1 1 1 1 Lull before SW
1
SW
0.5 Lull before NE
0
2019 2020 2019 2020 2019 2020
Province
FIGURE 87. MONSOONAL DISTRIBUTION OF STRANDINGS FROM 2019 TO 2020 IN ZAMBOANGA PENINSULA.
82
1.2
1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
1
Stranding frequency
0.8
DJF
0.6
JJA
MAM
0.4 SON
0.2
0
2019 2020 2019 2020 2019 2020
Province
FIGURE 88. SEASONAL DISTRIBUTION OF STRANDINGS FROM 2019 TO 2020 IN ZAMBOANGA PENINSULA REGION.
1.2
1 11 1 1 1 1 1
1
0.8
Stranding frequency
0.6
2019
0.4
2020
0.2
Month
FIGURE 89. MONTHLY DISTRIBUTION OF STRANDINGS FROM 2019 TO 2020 IN ZAMBOANGA PENINSULA REGION.
83
Spinner dolphin 1
Pygmy sperm whale 1
Fraser's dolphin 1
Species
Risso's dolphin 1
1 2019
2020
0 0.5 1 1.5 2
Stranding frequency
FIGURE 90. STRANDED MARINE MAMMAL SPECIES FROM 2019 TO 2020 IN ZAMBOANGA PENINSULA REGION.
3.5
3
3
2.5
Stranding frequency
2
2
1.5
Single
1 1 1
1 Out of habitat
0.5
0
2019 2020 2019 2020 2019 2020
Province
FIGURE 91. STRANDING EVENT CATEGORIES FROM 2019 TO 2020 IN ZAMBOANGA PENINSULA REGION.
84
REGION X (NORTHERN MINDANAO)
Northern Mindanao ranked 9th in terms of stranding frequency nationwide from 2019 to 2020 (n=5).
Stranding cases reported in the region were higher in 2019 (n=4) than in 2020 (n=1). The distribution
of these events was shown in Figure 92. On a provincial level, both Misamis Oriental and Camiguin
had higher strandings (n=2) compared to Lanao del Norte (n=1; Figure 94).
Concentration of marine mammal stranding recorded from 2005 to 2020 is shown in Figure 93. A total
of 16 grids along the coastline of Northern Mindanao had stranding records. Most of these grids had
1 to 4 stranding incidences reported. The only grid with 5 to 8 stranding reports was in Cagayan de
Oro City, Misamis Oriental.
Stranding frequencies in the region from 2019 to 2020 based on monsoonal distribution can be
observed in Figure 95. Most strandings were recorded during the Northeast monsoon. Each stranding
in Camiguin occurred during lull before SW and lull before NE. Similarly, each stranding event in
Misamis Oriental occurred in different seasons (Northeast and Southwest monsoons). The only
stranding event in Lanao del Norte was observed to occur during the Northeast monsoon.
In terms of seasonal distribution, most of the strandings occurred during the MAM season (n=2). The
rest occurred evenly in all seasons (Figure 96). Stranding events that occurred during the MAM season
were found in Camiguin and Misamis Oriental.
Stranding distribution per month is shown in Figure 97. One stranding event each occurred in the
months of February, March, April, August, and October. The one stranding event that occurred in 2020
occurred in August.
Three marine mammal species have been recorded to strand in the region in the past 2 years (Figure
98). The spinner dolphin (Stenella longirostris) was the most frequent strander (n=3). One individual
of common bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) and Fraser’s dolphin (Lagenodelphis hosei) was
also found to strand in the region. In addition, most of the recorded stranding incidences in the region
involved single events (Figure 99).
85
FIGURE 92. DISTRIBUTION OF STRANDINGS FROM 2019 TO 2020 IN NORTHERN MINDANAO.
86
FIGURE 93. NUMBER OF STRANDINGS WITHIN 15 X 15 KM FROM 2005 TO 2020 IN NORTHERN MINDANAO.
87
2.5
2
2
Stranding frequency
1.5
2019
1 1 1
1 2020
0.5
0
Camiguin Lanao del Norte Misamis Oriental
Province
FIGURE 94. STRANDINGS PER PROVINCE FROM 2019 TO 2020 IN NORTHERN MINDANAO.
1.2
1 1 1 1 1
1
0.8
Stranding frequency
0.6 NE
Lull before SW
0.4
SW
0.2
Lull before NE
0
2019 2020 2019 2020 2019 2020
Province
FIGURE 95. MONSOONAL DISTRIBUTION OF STRANDINGS FROM 2019 TO 2020 IN NORTHERN MINDANAO REGION.
88
1.2
1 1 1 1 1
1
Stranding frequency
0.8
DJF
0.6
JJA
MAM
0.4 SON
0.2
0
2019 2020 2019 2020 2019 2020
Province
FIGURE 96. SEASONAL DISTRIBUTION OF STRANDINGS FROM 2019 TO 2020 IN NORTHERN MINDANAO REGION.
1.2
1 1 1 1 1
1
0.8
Stranding frequency
0.6
2019
0.4
2020
0.2
Month
FIGURE 97. MONTHLY DISTRIBUTION OF STRANDINGS FROM 2019 TO 2020 IN NORTHERN MINDANAO.
89
Fraser's dolphin
1
Species
1
Common bottlenose dolphin
2019
2020
3
Spinner dolphin
0 1 2 3 4
Stranding frequency
FIGURE 98. STRANDED MARINE MAMMAL SPECIES FROM 2019 TO 2020 IN NORTHERN MINDANAO.
2.5
2
2
Stranding frequency
1.5
1 1 1
1
Single
0.5
0
2019 2020 2019 2020 2019 2020
Province
FIGURE 99. STRANDING EVENT CATEGORIES FROM 2019 TO 2020 IN NORTHERN MINDANAO.
90
REGION XI (DAVAO REGION)
Davao Region ranked 6th tied with Region 12 with the highest number of stranders from 2019 to 2020
(n=12, see Table 3). Locations of the reported stranding incidences are shown in Figure 100. Recorded
events in 2019 were significantly higher in 2019 (n=11) than in 2020 (n=1). Most stranding cases were
found in Davao del Sur (n=5), followed by Davao Oriental (n=3), Davao del Norte (n=2), and one
stranding event each in Compostela Valley and Davao Oriental. The only stranding case in 2020 was
recorded to occur in Davao Oriental (Figure 102).
Areas where marine mammals usually strand in this region (from 2005 to 2020) are shown in Figure
101. Twenty-three (23) grids each 15 x 15 km wide which is indicative of the municipality-size of
reported stranding events were generated. Of the 23 grids, 18 grids coincide with 1 to 4 stranding
events, 1 with 5 to 8 strandings, 3 with 9 to 12 strandings, and 1 with greater than or equal to 13
strandings. The municipality with 5 to 8 stranding incidents was Samal City in Davao del Sur. Hotspot
areas with 9 to 12 stranding occurrences were Davao City in Davao del Sur, Maco in Compostela Valley,
and Mati City in Davao Oriental. The hottest hotspot (n=13) in the region was Davao City.
Most stranding events in the region occurred during the Northeast (n=6) and Southwest (n=4)
monsoons. One stranding each occurred during the inter-monsoons. In Davao del Sur, 3 events
occurred during the Northeast monsoon and one event during Southwest monsoon and Spring Inter-
monsoon. Meanwhile, 2 incidents were recorded during the Northeast monsoon in Davao Oriental
and one during the Winter Inter-monsoon. There are 2 incidences during the Southwest monsoon in
Davao del Norte, one incidence during the Northeast monsoon in Compostela Valley, and one
incidence during the Southwest monsoon in Davao Occidental (Figure 103).
Stranding events based on seasonality in the region is shown in Figure 104. There were 4 stranding
incidents during the DJF season, 3 in both MAM and SON seasons, and 2 in JJA season. Strandings
were observed to occur every season in Davao del Sur in 2019, with more cases (n=2) during the DJF
season. Two (2) and another incident occurred during the DJF and MAM season, respectively in Davao
Oriental in 2019.
In terms of the monthly stranding distribution, reported cases had been illustrated in Figure 105 to be
distributed across most months. Higher reported stranding cases (n=2) occurred in the months of
February, March, July, and September and June. One stranding case was reported in January, April,
October, and December.
Eight (8) marine mammal species were recorded in the region (Figure 106). The most frequent
strander was the pygmy sperm whale (Kogia breviceps, n=4), followed by the Cuvier’s beaked whale
(Ziphius cavirostris). Most of the recorded strandings from 2019 to 2020 were categorized as single
events (Figure 107).
91
FIGURE 100. DISTRIBUTION OF STRANDINGS FROM 2019 TO 2020 IN DAVAO REGION.
92
FIGURE 101. NUMBER OF STRANDINGS WITHIN 15 X 15 KM FROM 2005 TO 2020 IN DAVAO REGION.
93
5
5
Stranding frequency
3
3
2019
2 2020
2
1 1
1
0
Compostella Davao del Norte Davao del Sur Davao Oriental Davao
Valley Occidental
Province
FIGURE 102. STRANDINGS PER PROVINCE FROM 2019 TO 2020 IN DAVAO REGION.
3.5
3
3
2.5
Stranding frequency
2 2
2
NE
1.5
1 11 1 1 Lull before SW
1
SW
0.5 Lull before NE
0
2019 2020 2019 2020 2019 2020 2019 2020 2019 2020
Compostella Davao del Davao del Sur Davao Oriental Davao
Valley Norte Occidental
Province
FIGURE 103. MONSOONAL DISTRIBUTION OF STRANDINGS FROM 2019 TO 2020 IN DAVAO REGION.
94
2.5
2 2
2
Stranding frequency
1.5
DJF
1 1 1 111 1 1 JJA
1 MAM
SON
0.5
0
2019 2020 2019 2020 2019 2020 2019 2020 2019 2020
Compostella Davao del Norte Davao del Sur Davao Oriental Davao
Valley Occidental
Province
FIGURE 104. SEASONAL DISTRIBUTION OF STRANDINGS FROM 2019 TO 2020 IN DAVAO REGION.
2.5
2 2 2
2
Stranding frequency
1.5
1 1 11 1 1
1 2019
2020
0.5
Month
FIGURE 105. MONTHLY DISTRIBUTION OF STRANDINGS FROM 2019 TO 2020 IN DAVAO REGION.
95
Spinner dolphin 1
Dugong 1
Fraser's dolphin 1
Species
2019
Risso's dolphin 1
2020
Pygmy sperm whale 4
0 1 2 3 4 5
Stranding frequency
FIGURE 106. STRANDED MARINE MAMMAL SPECIES FROM 2019 TO 2020 IN DAVAO REGION.
6
5
5
4
Stranding frequency
3
3
2
2 Single
1 1
1
0
2019 2020 2019 2020 2019 2020 2019 2020 2019 2020
Compostella Davao del Davao del Sur Davao Oriental Davao
Valley Norte Occidental
Province
FIGURE 107. STRANDING EVENT CATEGORIES FROM 2019 TO 2020 IN DAVAO REGION.
96
REGION XII (SOCCSKSARGEN)
The SOCCSKSARGEN ranked 6th tied with Region 11 in terms of stranding frequencies (n=12) across all
regions for 2019 to 2020. Stranding cases reported in the region for 2019 were relatively higher (n=7)
than 2020 (n=5). The spread of these stranding events is shown in Figure 189. Of the 12 stranding
incidents recorded in the region, 9 were recorded in the province of Sarangani while South Cotabato
had three (3). More cases occurred in 2019 in both Sarangani (n=5) and South Cotabato (n=2) than in
2020 (Figure 110).
Main areas where marine mammal stranding from 2005 to 2020 clustered as indicated by the 15 x 15
km grid are shown in Figure 109. The recorded strandings covered 16 grids in the region. Of these 16,
7 grids had 5 to 8 stranding events and 1 grid had 9 to 12 occurrences. The municipalities with 5 to 8
stranding events were covered by Maasim, Maitum, Kiamba, Malapatan, and Alabel in Sarangani and
General Santos City in South Cotabato. The hotspot area (grid with 9 to 12 occurrences) was located
in Malapatan, Sarangani.
Most of the stranding occurrences for the past 2 years were recorded during the Northeast and
Southwest monsoons (both had n=5). Furthermore, one occurrence each was documented during
both Inter-monsoons. In Sarangani province, there are 5 incidences during the Northeast monsoon, 3
during lull before NE monsoon, and 1 during lull before SW monsoon. The two incidents which
occurred during the Southwest monsoon were located in South Cotabato. Another incidence was
found during the lull before NE in the same province (Figure 111).
In terms of seasonal distribution (Figure 112), most incidences occurred during the JJA and MAM
season (both had n=5). Two (2) incidents were found during the SON season and none in the DJF
season. Five (5) occurrences were recorded during the MAM season, 3 during the JJA season, and one
during the SON season in Sarangani province. Meanwhile, there were 2 incidents during the JJA season
and one during the SON season in South Cotabato.
Majority of the stranding incidents occurred in the month of March (n=4), mainly in 2019 (n=1).
Moreover, there were 2 incidents in June and July. The rest of the strandings in the region were found
in May, August, October, and November, with one incidence each (Figure 113).
Eight (8) species of marine mammals stranded in the region in 2019 to 2020 (Figure 114). Spinner
dolphin (Stenella longirostris) was the most frequent strander (n=3), followed by the pygmy sperm
whale (Kogia breviceps, n=2), and dugong (Dugong dugon, n=2). The recorded stranding incidences
were categorized as single events (Figure 115).
97
FIGURE 108. DISTRIBUTION OF STRANDINGS FROM 2019 TO 2020 IN SOCCSKSARGEN REGION.
98
FIGURE 109. NUMBER OF STRANDINGS WITHIN 15 X 15 KM FROM 2005 TO 2020 IN SOCCSKSARGEN REGION.
99
5
5
Stranding frequency
4
4
3
2019
2 2020
2
1
1
0
Sarangani South Cotabato
Province
FIGURE 110. STRANDINGS PER PROVINCE FROM 2019 TO 2020 IN SOCCSKSARGEN REGION.
4.5
4
4
3.5
3
3
Stranding frequency
2.5
NE
2
Lull before SW
1.5
1 1 1 1 1
SW
1
0.5 Lull before NE
0
2019 2020 2019 2020
Province
FIGURE 111. MONSOONAL DISTRIBUTION OF STRANDINGS FROM 2019 TO 2020 IN SOCCSKSARGEN REGION.
100
4.5
4
4
3.5
Stranding frequency
3
3
2.5 DJF
2 JJA
MAM
1.5 SON
1 1 1 1 1
1
0.5
0
2019 2020 2019 2020
Province
FIGURE 112. SEASONAL DISTRIBUTION OF STRANDINGS FROM 2019 TO 2020 IN SOCCSKSARGEN REGION.
3.5
3
3
2.5
Stranding frequency
2
2
1.5
2019
1 1 11 1 1 1
1 2020
0.5
Month
FIGURE 113. MONTHLY DISTRIBUTION OF STRANDINGS FROM 2019 TO 2020 IN SOCCSKSARGEN REGION.
101
Dugong 1
Species
1
2019
Sperm whale 1
2020
Striped dolphin 1
Spinner dolphin 2
1
Pygmy sperm whale 2
0 0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5 3

Stranding frequency
FIGURE 114. STRANDED MARINE MAMMAL SPECIES FROM 2019 TO 2020 IN SOCCSKSARGEN REGION.
5
5
4
Stranding frequency
2
2 Single
1
1
0
2019 2020 2019 2020
Province
FIGURE 115. STRANDING EVENT CATEGORIES FROM 2019 TO 2020 IN SOCCSKSARGEN REGION.
102
REGION XIII (CARAGA REGION)
The Caraga region ranked 7th in terms of the number of stranding events recorded across the country
(n=11), tied with Regions 2 and 3 for 2019 to 2020. More strandings occurred in 2020 (n=7) than in
2019 (n=4). The spread of these stranding events is illustrated in Figure 116. The distribution of the
reported stranding cases from 2019 to 2020 per province is shown in Figure 118. Highest stranding
records were found in the provinces of Surigao del Sur (n=6) and Surigao del Norte (n=4). One
stranding record each was found in both Agusan del Norte in 2020 and Siargao in 2019.
The map of the clusters of marine mammal strandings recorded from 2005 to 2020 is shown in Figure
117. The clusters of stranding events covered 19 grids (15 x 15 km). These grids contained with 1 to 4
stranding events.
In terms of stranding distribution from 2019 to 2020 by monsoons (Figure 119), most strandings were
recorded during the Northeast monsoon. This was followed by 3 stranding events during the
Southwest monsoon and one during the lull before SW. No stranding event was recorded during the
lull before NE. Five (5) records in Surigao del Sur were found during the Northeast monsoon, and the
last record during the lull before SW. Southwest monsoon incidences were recorded in Surigao del
Norte (n=2), Siargao (n=1), and Agusan del Norte (n=1). The other record of the incidence during the
Northeast monsoon occurred in Surigao del Norte.
Meanwhile, primarily of the stranding records by seasons occurred during both DJF and JJA, having 4
incidences each season. There are 2 and 1 incidence/s during the MAM and SON season, respectively.
All DJF and MAM records were in Surigao del Sur. Incidences during the JJA season were found in
Agusan del Norte (n=1) and Siargao (n=3). The only SON record in the region occurred during the SON
season (Figure 120).
Majority of the monthly stranding cases in Region 13 occurred in January (n=3). Two (2) of the
incidences were dated in August of 2020. The rest of the months had each one incidence of stranding
except in April, September, October, and December (Figure 121).
Six marine mammal species were recorded to strand in the region (Figure 122). The striped dolphin
(Stenella coeruleoalba; n=3) was the most frequent strander. There are two records of stranding of
dugong (Dugong dugon), sperm whale (Physeter macrocephalus), and melon-headed whale
(Peponocephala electra) along the coast of Caraga region. The stranding occurrences recorded across
all the provinces in the region were of single events (Figure 123).
103
FIGURE 116. DISTRIBUTION OF STRANDINGS FROM 2019 TO 2020 IN CARAGA REGION.
104
FIGURE 117. NUMBER OF STRANDINGS WITHIN 15 X 15 KM FROM 2005 TO 2020 IN CARAGA REGION.
105
4.5
4
4
3.5
Stranding frequency
3
3
2.5
2 2019
2
2020
1.5
1 1 1
1
0.5
0
Agusan del Norte Siargao Surigao del Norte Surigao del Sur
Province
FIGURE 118. STRANDINGS PER PROVINCE FROM 2019 TO 2020 IN CARAGA REGION.
3.5
3
3
2.5
Stranding frequency
2 2
2
NE
1.5
Lull before SW
1 1 1 1
1 SW
0.5 Lull before NE
0
2019 2020 2019 2020 2019 2020 2019 2020
Province
FIGURE 119. MONSOONAL DISTRIBUTION OF STRANDINGS FROM 2019 TO 2020 IN CARAGA REGION.
106
3.5
3
3
Stranding frequency
2.5
2 2 2
2
DJF
JJA
1.5
MAM
1 1 SON
1
0.5
0
2019 2020 2019 2020 2019 2020 2019 2020
Province
FIGURE 120. SEASONAL DISTRIBUTION OF STRANDINGS FROM 2019 TO 2020 IN CARAGA REGION.
2.5
2 2
2
Stranding frequency
1.5
1 1 1 1 1 1 1
1 2019
2020
0.5
Month
FIGURE 121. MONTHLY DISTRIBUTION OF STRANDINGS FROM 2019 TO 2020 IN CARAGA REGION.
107
Dugong 2
Fraser's dolphin 1
Pygmy sperm whale

1
Species
2019
Sperm whale
2 2020
Melon-headed whale
2
Striped dolphin 1
2
0 0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5 3

Stranding frequency
FIGURE 122. STRANDED MARINE MAMMAL SPECIES FROM 2019 TO 2020 IN CARAGA REGION.
4.5
4
4
3.5
Stranding frequency
2.5
2 2
2
1.5 Single
1 1 1
1
0.5
0
2019 2020 2019 2020 2019 2020 2019 2020
Province
FIGURE 123. STRANDING EVENT CATEGORIES FROM 2019 TO 2020 IN CARAGA REGION.
108
BARMM (BANGSAMORO AUTONOMOUS REGION IN MUSLIM MINDANAO)
Nationwide, the BARMM Region had the lowest recorded stranding events from 2019 to 2020. A total
of 4 stranding incidences reported in which both years had 2 incidences each. A map of these events
is shown in Figure 124. The strandings were evenly distributed across the provinces of Basilan,
Maguindanao, Sulu, and Tawi-Tawi (Figure 126).
Locations where marine mammals usually strand are shown in Figure 125. The span of the stranding
dataset used in this section was from 2005 to 2020. There were 12 grids coincided with 1 to 4 stranding
events reported.
The stranding incidence documented in the region occurred mostly during the Southwest monsoon
season (n=2) which was in Basilan and Maguindanao. Only one stranding record each during lull before
NE and Northeast monsoon was documented in Sulu in 2020 and Tawi-Tawi in 2019, respectively
(Figure 127). In terms of seasonality, 2 incidents were recorded during the JJA season, one of each in
Basilan and Maguindanao. Furthermore, one record occurred during the SON season of 2020 in Sulu
and the other record during the DJF season of 2019 in Tawi-Tawi (Figure 128). For the monthly trend,
the stranding events in the region occurred once during the months of January, July, August, and
October (Figure 129).
Four (4) species of marine mammals have been involved to strand in the past 2 years (Figure 130). The
stranded species are the sperm whale (Physeter macrocephalus), melon-headed whale
(Peponocephala electra), Bryde’s whale (Balaenoptera edeni), and false killer whale (Pseudorca
crassidens). All stranding incidences were of single events (Figure 131).
109
FIGURE 124. DISTRIBUTION OF STRANDINGS FROM 2019 TO 2020 IN BARMM REGION.
110
FIGURE 125. NUMBER OF STRANDINGS WITHIN 15 X 15 KM FROM 2005 TO 2020 IN BARMM REGION.
111
1.2
1 1 1 1
1
Stranding frequency
0.8
0.6
2019
2020
0.4
0.2
0
Basilan Maguindanao Sulu Tawi-Tawi
Province
FIGURE 126. STRANDINGS PER PROVINCE FROM 2019 TO 2020 IN BARMM REGION.
1.2
1 1 1 1
1
0.8
Stranding frequency
0.6 NE
Lull before SW
0.4
SW
0.2 Lull before NE
0
2019 2020 2019 2020 2019 2020 2019 2020
Province
FIGURE 127. MONSOONAL DISTRIBUTION OF STRANDINGS FROM 2019 TO 2020 IN BARMM REGION.
112
1.2
1 1 1 1
1
Stranding frequency
0.8
DJF
0.6
JJA
MAM
0.4 SON
0.2
0
2019 2020 2019 2020 2019 2020 2019 2020
Province
FIGURE 128. SEASONAL DISTRIBUTION OF STRANDINGS FROM 2019 TO 2020 IN BARMM REGION.
1.2
1 1 1 1
1
0.8
Stranding frequency
0.6
2019
0.4
2020
0.2
Month
FIGURE 129. MONTHLY DISTRIBUTION OF STRANDINGS FROM 2019 TO 2020 IN BARMM REGION.
113
1
Sperm whale
Melon-headed whale
1
Species
2019
2020
Bryde's whale
1
1
False killer whale
0 0.5 1 1.5 2
Stranding frequency
FIGURE 130. STRANDED MARINE MAMMAL SPECIES FROM 2019 TO 2020 IN BARMM REGION.
1.2
1 1 1 1
1
Stranding frequency
0.8
0.6
0.4 Single
0.2
0
2019 2020 2019 2020 2019 2020 2019 2020
Province
FIGURE 131. STRANDING EVENT CATEGORIES FROM 2019 TO 2020 IN BARMM REGION.
114
DISCUSSION
FISHNET TOOL - IDENTIFIED HOTSPOT MUNICIPALITIES/CITIES
The use of Fishnet Tools was again employed to establish 15 x 15 km grids in this latest version to
update the specific areas where stranding events clustered nationwide. Almost a third (440 of 1368,
32.89%) of the grids created along the Philippine coastline had records of stranding events from 2005
to 2020 (see Figure 1). Eighteen (18) hotspots (areas of concern, total stranding frequency ≥9 per grid)
on a municipal/city level were identified: Sta Ana (n=19), Badoc (n=18), Dagupan (n=16), Pagudpud
(n=15), Alaminos City (n=14), Claveria (n=13), Davao City (n=13), Labrador (n=12), Mati (n=12), Del
Gallego (n=11), Bago City (n=11), Malapatan (n=11), Pasuquin (n=10), Maco (n=10), Sto Domingo
(n=9), Narvacan (n=9), Davao City (n=9), and Zamboanga City (n=9; see Table 1). Ilocos Region remain
the primary region of concern since it hosts 8 stranding hotspot municipalities/cities. This region
requires special attention both in strategic management and research. Note that the Regions II, V, VI,
IX, XI, and XII, were approaching the clustering rates to be considered areas of concern as well. The
Fishnet Tool was useful for identifying municipal/city level areas of concern. These specific areas
should be the primary or focal areas of interest for the concerned Provincial Fisheries Officers and
BFAR Regional Directors in terms of strategic management or planning of trainings and the like.
Previous reports (Aragones et al. 2010, 2017, Aragones and Laggui 2019) which also focused on
regional hotspots practically showed very similar trends.
THE REGIONAL HOTSPOTS IN 2019-2020
The previous Technical Report (Aragones and Laggui 2019) showed that there are distinct regional
hotspots in each island group of Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao from 2005 to 2018 dataset. These were
the top five regions with the most frequent number of strandings (in descending order): Regions V,
followed by I, IV-B, IX, and XI (Aragones and Laggui 2019). On the other hand, strandings in the last 2
years (2019-2020) highlighted these top five regions: Region I (Ilocos Region, n=26), Region V (Bicol
Region, n=26), Region VI (Western Visayas, n=25), Region IV-B (MIMAROPA, n=22) and Region VII
(Central Visayas, n=23; see Table 3). Three (3) regions: I, IV-B, V were similarly in the top five from the
previous Technical Report. All three regions are in Luzon. These five (5) hotspots regions accounted
for 55.45% of the total stranding events from 2019 to 2020. The BARMM remained one of the regions
with the least stranding frequencies (n=4), consistent with Aragones et al. 2017. Region IX and Region
X dropped to having one of the fewest recorded strandings in the past two years. Both regions have
reduced their stranding record by 11 frequencies. In contrast, Region VI’s and Region VII’s stranding
records predominantly increased by 20 and 15, respectively in a span of two years.
On the provincial scale, interesting results were found in the 2019 to 2020 dataset. The top seven (7)
provinces with the highest frequency of recorded strandings were Palawan (n=10), Negros Occidental
(n=10), Ilocos Norte (n=9), Ilocos Sur (n=9), Cagayan (n=9), Cebu (n=9), and Sarangani (n=9; see Figure
9). Most of these provinces except Ilocos Sur had higher stranding events in 2019 than in 2020 (as
shown in Figure 9). In comparison, the longer dataset (2005-2018) showed these top 7 provinces (from
highest): Palawan, Cagayan, Quezon, Sorsogon, Zamboanga del Sur, Misamis Oriental, and Sarangani.
Cagayan, Palawan, and Sorsogon provinces seem to have maintained a high frequency of strandings
from 2019 to 2020.
115
HIGH ANNUAL STRANDING FREQUENCIES RECORDED IN 2019-2020 – PART OF PLATEAU
Based on this 16-year stranding database, the total annual stranding frequencies appear to form a
plateau since 2014 to 2020 (see Figure 2). The sustained 100 plus annual strandings imply that the
high recorded annual frequencies are beyond the artifact of people being educated about strandings
and reporting them but that this could be compounded by other factors. The accessibility of roads,
smart phones and internet to the masses contributes to this sustained reporting. However, what
are/were the factors that sustained these annual totals of 100 plus strandings per se? In 2010, the
main factors that explained the increasing trends then were: increasing awareness, toxins, and fishing
efforts (both legal & illegal; Aragones at al. 2010). The PMMSN through the Marine Mammal Research
and Stranding Laboratory of the UP IESM is currently examining the effects of pollution (chemical &
noise), diseases, marine debris and by-catch on marine mammal stranding events nationwide, to
mention a few.
SPECIES COMPOSITION & THE CRITICALLY ENDANGERED DUGONG
The species composition of the stranders in 2019 to 2020 was expectedly like previous years (2005-
2020). The top five most frequent species that stranded according to the previous Technical Report
were: spinner dolphin, dugong, pygmy sperm whale, pantropical spotted dolphin, and Risso’s dolphin
(Aragones and Laggui 2019). In this report, the three of the previous top five species remained: spinner
dolphin, pygmy sperm whale, Fraser’s dolphin, dugong, and melon-headed whale. The exclusion of
the pantropical spotted dolphin and Risso’s dolphin in the list implies that these species may not
necessarily be consistently stranding throughout the years.
The number of stranding records by species is most alarming for the dugong (Dugong dugon). Based
on the previous Technical Report, the dugong had a total of only 62 stranding records for 14 years
(from 2005 to 2018) nationwide. That is equivalent to an average of 4 strandings per year, one
stranding increase from the previous average (2005-2016) – a trend that is consistently observed to
date. In 2019 & 2020, the dugong had a total of 18 stranding records (see Figure 7), which increased
the annual average of dugong strandings since 2005 to 5 strandings per year. The dugong has been
declared as a critically endangered species in the Philippines since 2004 (DENR Administrative Order
2004-15). These recent mortalities would negatively affect the persistence of the dugongs in the
Philippines. Majority of these dugong mortalities came from the provinces of Palawan (n=3), Guimaras
(n=2), Sarangani (n=2), and Surigao del Sur (n=2). Unfortunately, all these deaths were undetermined.
REFLOAT/RELEASE AND REHABILITATION
Based on the recorded stranding events in 2019 and 2020, 37.27 % (n=82) involved live marine
mammals (see Figure 4). This rate is low in comparison to years 2017-2018 (56.33%; Aragones & Laggui
2019). Of the live stranders, 29 (~36%) died, 24 (~30%) released and 16 (~20%) animals were
rehabilitated. Of the 24 released, 5 animals died (beached). Out of the 16 marine mammals
rehabilitated or given at least 24-hour supportive care, 7 survived and were released successfully
(~44%). However, 13 of the 82 live stranders were undetermined.
116
SUMMARY
The main findings from the analyses of this two-year (2019-2020) dataset are summarized as
follows:
- A total of 1178 marine mammal stranding events have been recorded in the Philippines from
2005 to 2020.
- A total of 220 strandings from 2019 to 2020. This comprised 18.79 % of the total stranding
events, to date.
- In a moving average of the annual stranding frequencies from 2005 to 2020, the first five years
(2005-2009) was 34, followed by the next five (2010-2014), 73, and the last six years (2015-
2020) was 108.
- Total annual stranding frequencies seem to plateau in the last 7 years (2014-2020).
- Out of the 1368 grids (15 x 15km) created by the Fishnet Tool along the Philippine coastline,
32.16% (n=440) had incidences of stranding from 2005 to 2020.
- Eighteen (18) hotspots (areas of concern, total stranding frequency ≥9 per grid) on a
municipal/city level were identified: Sta Ana (n=19), Badoc (n=18), Dagupan (n=16), Pagudpud
(n=15), Alaminos City (n=14), Claveria (n=13), Davao City (n=13), Labrador (n=12), Mati (n=12),
Del Gallego (n=11), Bago City (n=11), Malapatan (n=11), Pasuquin (n=10), Maco (n=10), Sto
Domingo (n=9), Narvacan (n=9), Davao City (n=9), and Zamboanga City (n=9)
- The top five regions with the highest number of stranding records in the last 2 years (2019-
2020): Region I (Ilocos Region, n=26), Region V (Bicol Region, n=26), Region VI (Western
Visayas, n=25), Region IV-B (MIMAROPA, n=22) and Region VII (Central Visayas, n=23).
- The five (5) hotspot regions accounted for 55.45% of the total stranding events from 2019 to
2020.
- The top seven (7) provinces with the highest frequency of recorded strandings were Palawan
(n=10), Negros Occidental (n=10), Ilocos Norte (n=9), Ilocos Sur (n=9), Cagayan (n=9), Cebu
(n=9), and Sarangani (n=9)
- There was no clear patterns nor trends for the monsoonal distribution of strandings in 2019
to 2020; the Northeast monsoon (n=90) was closely followed by the Southwest monsoon
(n=69), then Winter Inter-monsoon (Lull before SW; n=47), and Spring Inter-monsoon (Lull
before NE; n=14).
- By season, 36% of the total strandings occurred during MAM season (n=80), 25% during JJA
season (n=55), 20% during DJF season (n=44), and 18.64% during SON season (n=41).
- Majority of the strandings in 2019 to 2020 involved single stranding events (n=214). There
were only five records of mass strandings and one out of habitat
- About 37.27% (n=81) of the recorded events in 2019 and 2020 involved live marine mammals.
This is relatively lower than the previous years and overall average rate of live stranders.
- The top five most frequent species to strand in recent years (2019-2020) were spinner dolphin
(n=35), pygmy sperm whale (n=23), Fraser’s dolphin (n=22), dugong (n=18), melon-headed
whale (n=17), Risso’s dolphin (n=12), and short-finned pilot whale (n=12).
- The number of stranding records is most alarming for the dugong (Dugong dugon; 18
stranding records in 2019-2020) as it is a critically endangered species in the Philippines.
Majority of these dugong mortalities came from the provinces of Palawan (n=3), Guimaras
(n=2), Sarangani (n=2), and Surigao del Sur (n=2).
117
- Overall, only 37.27% (n=82) stranded live in 2019 and 2020 out of all stranding events. This is
lower in comparison to the 2017-2018 dataset (56.33%). Of the live stranders, 29 (~35%) died,
24 (~29%) released and 16 (~20%) animals were rehabilitated. Of the 24 released, 5 animals
died (beached). Out of the 16 marine mammals rehabilitated or given at least 24-hour
supportive care, 7 survived and were released successfully (~44%). Unfortunately, 13 of the
82 live stranders were undetermined.
118
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APPENDIX
Appendix 1. Marine mammal stranding report form (from Aragones et al. 2013).
121
PLATES
A COLLECTION OF MARINE MAMMAL STRANDING PHOTOS FOR 2019
REGION I STRANDINGS
Plate 1. A male rough-toothed dolphin stranded in Dagupan, Pangasinan

last May 20, 2019. Photo by: Sandy Ling Choo and Burn Gomez
Plate 2. A dead pygmy sperm whale found in Puro, Magsingal,

Ilocos Sur last August 11, 2019. Photo by: Joshua Rabit
122
Plate 3. A dead male Cuvier’s beaked whale found in Davila,

Pasuquin, Ilocos Norte last June 14, 2019. Photo by: Arthur Valente
Plate 4. A calf spinner dolphin stranded in Taboc, San Juan, La

Union last May 28, 2019. Photo by: Bombo Radyo La Union
123
REGION II STRANDINGS
Plate 5. A male Bryde’s whale stranded in San

Vicente, Sta. Ana Cagayan last March 10, 2019.
Photo by: Coast Guard Sub Station Sta. Ana
Plates 6 & 7. A male spinner dolphin stranded in Pata, Claveria,

Cagayan last December 9, 2019. Photos by: BFAR 2
REGION III STRANDINGS
Plate 8. A male Risso’s dolphin stranded in

Plate 9. A bloated unidentified balaenopterid
Playa La Caleta Resort, Morong Bataan last
found in Townsite, Mariveles, Bataan last
January 10, 2019. Photo by: Coast Guard Sub
November 29, 2019. Photo by: Ernie Esconde
Station Sta. Ana
124
REGION IV-A STRANDINGS
Plate 10. An emaciated male pygmy sperm whale Plate 11. A female Pantropical spotted dolphin
stranded in Putingbato, Calaca, Batangas last April stranded in Marao, Padre Bugos, Quezon last April
10, 2019. Photo by: BFAR CALABARZON 9, 2019. Photo by: BFAR CALABARZON
REGION IV-B STRANDINGS
Plates 12 & 13. ‘Bughaw’, a female dugong calf

stranded in Buctot, Busuanga, Palawan last
April 7, 2019. Photos by: Palawan News
125
Plate 14. A rough-toothed dolphin stranded in Nacpan Beach, El Nido,

Palawan last June 28, 2019. Photo by: Ten Knots
Plates 15 & 16. A pygmy sperm whale stranded in Odiongan, Tablas

Island, Romblon last October 6, 2019. Photos from: PMMSN
Plate 17. A male Risso’s dolphin stranded in

remote Island of Calauit in Palawan last May
3, 2019. Photo from: Erina Pauline Molina
126
REGION V STRANDINGS
Plate 18. A dead male common

bottlenose dolphin found in Balucawe,
Dimasalang, Masbate last March 25,
2019. Photo by: PNP Dimasalang
Plates 19 & 20. A dead male dugong found in Mangcamagong, Bacud,

Camarines Norte last February 22, 2019. Photos by: BFAR Camarines Norte
Plate 21. A heavily emaciated pygmy sperm whale Plate 22. A short-finned pilot whale stranded in
stranded in Pasay, Del Gallego, Camarines Sur last Gibraltar, Batuan, Masbate last August 21,
August 22, 2019. Photo from Rappler 2019. Photo by: BFAR
127
Plates 23 and 24. A dead female sperm whale found in Tabigihan, Camaoan,
Camarines Sur last October 3, 2019. Photos from Rappler
Plate 25. A dead spinner dolphin found in San

Andres, San Andres, Catanduanes last
September 3, 2019. Photo by: BFAR Bicol
Plates 26 & 27. A spinner dolphin stranded in Palani, Balud,

Masbate last September 1, 2019. Photos by: Katherine Hallig
128
REGION VI STRANDINGS
Plate 28. Three pygmy killer whales Plate 29. A dead adult dugong found in
stranded in Gargato, Hinigaran, Negros Zone 6, Pulupandan, Negros Occidental last
Occidental last May 24, 2019. Photo by: F. February 6, 2019. Photo by: PCG-
Tingson/Manila Bulletin Pulupandan
Plates 30 & 31. A male fin whale stranded in the tip of Isla Gigantes
Sur, Carles, Iloilo last February 4, 2019. Photos by: Albin Magnate
Plate 32. A dead female Irrawaddy dolphin

found in Sampinit, Bago City, Negros
Occidental last January 13, 2019. Photo by:
Danilo Pahilangal
129
Plates 33 & 34. A dead Pantropical spotted dolphin found in Brgy

Union, Nabas, Aklan last October 19, 2019. Photo by: Efren Cosio
Oczon
Plate 35. A dead Fraser’s dolphin found in

Patic, Pulupandan, Negros Occidental last
September 11, 2019. Photo by: PCG-
Pulupandan
REGION VII STRANDINGS
Plates 36 & 37. A dead spinner dolphin found in

Poblacion, Asturias, Cebu last June 8, 2019. Photos by:
Mark Lester Wagas
130
Plate 38. A dead neonate common bottlenose

dolphin found in Bounty's Beach Resort,
Malapascua, Daanbantayan, Cebu last June 3,
2019. Photo by: Marine Wildlife Watch of the
Philippines
Plate 39. A dead dwarf sperm whale found in Plate 40. A dead Risso’s dolphin found in Sacsac,
Poblacion, Samboan, Cebu last June 2, 2019. Photo Bacong, Negros Oriental last May 31, 2019. Photo
by: SMARTSeas PH by: Maria Moi
Plate 41. A dead Indo-Pacific bottlenose

dolphin found in Madridejos (Lawis), Bantayan Plate 42. A dead Fraser’s dolphin found in
Island, Cebu last April 22, 2019. Photo by: Atabay, Alcoy, Cebu last March 10, 2019.
Philippine News Photo from SunStar
131
Plate 43. An entangled then butchered

spinner dolphin found in Cutcutan,
Valencia, Bohol last January 4, 2019.
Photo by: Leo Udtohan/Inquirer Visayas
REGION VIII STRANDINGS
Plate 44. A melon-headed whale Plate 45. A dead mother and calf dwarf
stranded in Tinag-an, Albuera, Leyte sperm whale found in Tangkaan, Padre
last August 7, 2019. Photo by: BFAR- Burgos, Southern Leyte last March 28,
Region 8 2019. Photo by: BFAR Region 8
Plate 46. A spinner dolphin stranded

in Napanpan, Mondragon, Northern
Samar last March 5, 2019. Photo by:
BFAR- Region 8
132
REGION XI STRANDINGS
Plates 47 & 48. A Cuvier’s beaked whale stranded in Cadunan, Mabini, Compostella Valley last March 15,
2019. Forty (40) kilograms of plastic waste were found in its stomach (right). Photos by: AFP
Plate 49. A ~10.4 ft dead female Plate 50. A dead pygmy sperm whale found in Coastal Rd
pygmy sperm whale found in Calderon construction, Matina Aplaya, Davao City last July 28, 2019.
Seaside, Davao City last March 31, Photo by: Darrell Blatchley
2019. Photo by: Neza Pasay
Plate 51. A dead male pygmy sperm whale found in

Madaum, Davao del Norte last September 16, 2019.
Photo by: Darrell Blatchley
133
REGION XII STRANDINGS
Plate 52. A dead male pygmy sperm whale

found in Maribulan, Alabel, Sarangani last
March 16, 2019. Photo by: Sarangani
Environmental Conservation and Protection
Center
Plate 53. A dead male sperm whale found in

Gumasa, Glan, Sarangani last November 24,
2019. Photo by: Joselito Abayon
BARMM STRANDINGS
Plate 54. A 20-ft decomposing male sperm

whale found in Hadji Mohammad Ajul, Basilan
last July 11, 2019. Photo by: Zarah Adam Halain
134
A COLLECTION OF MARINE MAMMAL STRANDING PHOTOS FOR 2020
REGION I STRANDINGS
Plate 55. A female pygmy sperm whale Plate 56. A female pygmy sperm whale
stranded in Tondaligan, Dagupan, stranded in Sulvec, Narvacan, Ilocos Sur last
Pangasinan last November 20, 2020. Photo May 7, 2020. Photo by: BFAR Region 1
by: Jhun Cadiz /Manila Bulletin
Plate 57. An Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphin

stranded in Namalpalan, Magsingal, Ilocos Sur last
March 29, 2020. Photo by: Marvin Agustin
Plate 58. A Fraser’s dolphin stranded in Dagupan,

Pangasinan last March 15, 2020. Photo by: Dr.
Hasmin Chogsayan
135
REGION III STRANDINGS
Plate 59. A dead female dwarf sperm whale

found in Panibatuhan Poblacion, Morong, Bataan
highly emaciated and had plenty of cookie cutter
bites last October 23, 2020. Photo by: Jeffrey San
Juan
Plates 60 & 61. A female short-finned pilot whale stranded in Pag-asa, Bagac, Bataan
last June 15, 2020. Photo by: Ken Gorambalem (left) & from: PMMSN (right)
Plates 62 & 63. A female pantropical spotted dolphin whale stranded in Sta Cruz,
Zambales last May 30, 2020. Photos by: JC A. Melano
Plate 64. A Fraser’s dolphin

stranded in Palauig, Zambales last
May 23, 2020. Photo by: Kris
Docuyanan and Bong de Castro
Gutierrez
136
REGION IV-B STRANDINGS
Plate 65. A short-finned pilot whale Plate 66. A dead female dugong stranded
stranded in Burirao, Narra, Palawan last in Tagpait, Aborlan, Palawan last July 13,
July 24, 2020. Photo by: Deborah Quizan 2020. Photo by: Avien Hasan
REGION V STRANDINGS
Plate 67. Nine (9) melon-headed whales

found in Bon-ot, San Andres,
Catanduanes last October 8, 2020. Photo
by: BFAR Bicol
137
REGION VI STRANDINGS
Plates 68 & 69. A dead male dugong found in Sta Rita, Anilao, Iloilo last
May 27, 2020. Photos by: Claudine Albaña
Plate 70. A dead Irrawaddy dolphin

found in Pulupandan, Bago, Negros
Occidental last September 25, 2020.
Photo by: Lumba Project
Plate 72. A dead dugong found in

Plate 71. A decomposing male dugong found in Sta Rita,
Igcawayan, San Lorenzo, Guimaras last
Anilao, Iloilo last May 27, 2020. Photo by: Reysan Belgira
January 9, 2020. Photo by: Armida
Andres
138
REGION VII STRANDINGS
Plate 73 & 74. A pregnant Fraser’s dolphin (left) and her discovered 40-cm fetus (right) upon necropsy
stranded in Bahi, Alburquerque, Bohol last October 28, 2020. Photos by: BEMO
Plate 75. A dead pregnant Fraser’s

dolphin stranded in Bil-isan, Panglao,
Bohol last September 23, 2020. Photo by:
Bohol Environment Management Office
Plate 76. A decomposing male melon-headed

whale found in Maayongtubig, Dauin, Negros
Oriental last April 25, 2020. Photo by: Luzzie
Garner/Marine Wildlife Watch of the Philippines
139
Plate 77. A female Fraser’s dolphin stranded in

Looc, Jagna, Bohol last January 3, 2020. Photo
by: Adonis John Cagas
REGION VIII STRANDINGS
Plate 78. A dead male spinner dolphin found in Masagaosao,

Kawayan, Biliran last August 11, 2020, that was reported to have
been trapped in a gillnet. Photo by: BFAR Region 8
Plates 79 & 80. A dead female melon-

headed whale found in Kilim, Baybay
City, Leyte last April 8, 2020, that was
reported to have been trapped in a
gillnet set. Photos by: Ma Cristina
Estardo
140
REGION IX STRANDINGS
Plates 81 & 82. A spinner dolphin stranded in Siocon, Zamboanga del

Norte last May 14, 2020. Photos by: Maraon Banguih
REGION XIII STRANDINGS
Plate 83. A ~17.06 m decomposing

male sperm whale found in Baculin,
Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur last May 9,
2020. Photos from Bombo Radyo
Butuan
Plate 84. A ~9.6m decomposing sperm

whale found in Barcelona, Lingig,
Surigao del Sur last February 7, 2020.
Photos from ABS CBN News
141
Plate 85. A dead female striped

dolphin found in Linintian, Cantilan,
Surigao del Sur last January 2, 2020.
Photo by: Municipality of Cantilan
BARMM STRANDINGS
Plates 86 & 87. A dead male Bryde’s whale about 12m long
found in Dungon, Banguingui, Sulu last October 11, 2020.
Photos by: Mayor Abdulwahid Sahidulla
Plate 73. A melon-headed whale stranded in

Pantalan, Parang, Maguindanao last August
27, 2020. Photo by: Barangay Magsaysay,
Parang
142

PMMSN_3rd Technical Report Year 2019-2020

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PMMSN_3rd Technical Report Year 2019-2020

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Marine mammal strandings in the Philippines from 2019 to 2020

Table of Contents ................................................................................................................................... 3

References .......................................................................................................................................... 119

GENERAL TRENDS OF STRANDING EVENTS IN THE PHILIPPINES

FIGURE 1. NUMBER OF STRANDINGS WITHIN EACH 15 X 15 KM GRID USING 2005-2020 DATASET.

TABLE 1. TOTAL NUMBER OF GRIDS WITH STRANDING RECORDS IN THE PHILIPPINES.

Total grid along Philippine coast 1368

Grid with stranding points 440

Grid with 1-4 stranding points 367

Grid with 5-8 stranding points 55

Grid with 9-12 stranding points 11

Grid with ≥13 stranding points 7

TABLE 2. AREAS OR GRIDS WITH 9 TO 12 AND ≥13 RECORDED STRANDING EVENTS.

FIGURE 2. STRANDING EVENTS RECORDED FROM 2005 TO 2020.

FIGURE 3. CATEGORIES OF STRANDINGS IN YEAR 2019 TO 2020.

FIGURE 4. DISPOSITION OF STRANDED MARINE MAMMALS FROM 2019 TO 2020.

FIGURE 5. AGE CLASS OF STRANDED MARINE MAMMALS FROM 2019 TO 2020.

FIGURE 6. SEX OF STRANDED MARINE MAMMALS FROM 2019 TO 2020.

Pygmy sperm whale 13

Dwarf sperm whale 7

Pantropical spotted dophin 6

Cuvier's beaked whale 4

Common bottlenose dolphin 4

Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphin 4

Blainville's beaked whale 2

False killer whale 2

Pygmy killer whale 2

Short-finned pilot whale 2

FIGURE 7. STRANDED MARINE MAMMAL SPECIES FROM 2019 TO 2020.

TABLE 3. STRANDING EVENTS PER REGION FROM 2019 TO 2020.

FIGURE 8. STRANDING FREQUENCY PER REGION FROM 2019 TO 2020.

Lanao del Norte

Davao del Sur

Surigao del Norte

FIGURE 10. STRANDING FREQUENCY BY MONSOON BY REGION FROM 2019 TO 2020.

FIGURE 11. STRANDING FREQUENCY BY SEASON BY REGION FROM 2019 TO 2020.

Stranding per region

REGION I (ILOCOS REGION)

FIGURE 12. DISTRIBUTION OF STRANDINGS FROM 2019 TO 2020 IN ILOCOS REGION.

222 2 2 22 Lull before SW

Common bottlenose dolphin 1

REGION II (CAGAYAN VALLEY)

Pantropical spotted dophin 1

Pygmy sperm whale 1

Short-finned pilot whale 1

REGION III (CENTRAL LUZON)

Dwarf sperm whale 1

Pantropical spotted dophin 1 2019

Short-finned pilot whale 2

0 0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5 3

REGION IV-A (CALABARZON)

FIGURE 36. DISTRIBUTION OF STRANDINGS FROM 2019 TO 2020 IN CALABARZON REGION.

Cuvier's beaked whale

0 0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5 3

REGION IV-B (MIMAROPA)

FIGURE 44. DISTRIBUTION OF STRANDINGS FROM 2019 TO 2020 IN MIMAROPA REGION.

Pantropical spotted dophin 1

Blainville's beaked whale 1

Pygmy sperm whale 2

REGION V (BICOL REGION)

FIGURE 52. DISTRIBUTION OF STRANDINGS FROM 2019 TO 2020 IN BICOL REGION.

Dwarf sperm whale 1

REGION VI (WESTERN VISAYAS)

Pygmy killer whale 1