World · Philippines Bureau
Dead spinner dolphin found entangled in fishing net off Occidental Mindoro
A spinner dolphin was discovered dead in waters off San Jose, Occidental Mindoro on Sunday after becoming entangled in fishing gear. The discovery highlights ongoing concerns about marine wildlife interactions with commercial fishing operations in Philippine waters.
LSN Philippines ·
CALAPAN CITY — Authorities recovered the carcass of a spinner dolphin found entangled in a fishing net in Barangay Caminawit, San Jose, Occidental Mindoro on Sunday. The animal was identified by Dr. Mico Angelo Reyes, a veterinarian with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources' Tamaraw Conservation Program, following examination of the remains.
The discovery marks another incident of marine mammal mortality linked to fishing activities in the region. Spinner dolphins, known for their acrobatic behavior and distinctive spinning leaps, are protected under Philippine environmental laws.
The DENR's Tamaraw Conservation Program continues to monitor marine wildlife populations and investigate incidents involving protected species. Fishing net entanglement remains a significant threat to dolphin populations across Southeast Asia, with organizations documenting hundreds of cases annually.
Authorities did not immediately disclose details regarding the condition of the net or whether any investigation into the incident would be launched. The recovery of the specimen allows for further assessment of marine mammal interactions with commercial fishing vessels operating in Philippine territorial waters.