TIM eMagazine Vol.2 Issue 9
suffocate or drown. Known as bycatch, this causes
the deaths of over 300,000 whales, dolphins
and porpoises globally every year. Other threats
include marine debris and plastic pollution,
habitat destruction, overfishing and hunting,
which sadly still occurs in remote parts of the
country.
“Charismatic creatures like dolphins bring in
millions of Pesos from ecotourism, enriching the
lives of the people of Bais and other coastal areas.
Together with our allies, we work to conserve
fisheries in the Tañon Strait by looking at the no-
nonsense implementation of our fisheries and
environmental laws to protect marine ecosystems
and resources. This ensures that our beloved
dolphins will always have food to eat, while
protecting the livelihoods of our coastal residents.
When done right, tourism is solid proof that many
animals are worth more alive than dead,” notes
Atty. Gloria Estenzo-Ramos, head of Oceana in the
Philippines.
A Special Treat
Back on the boat, we observe the Tañon
Strait’s stars in action. They’re spinner dolphins,
distinguished by their elongated snouts and crazy,
acrobatic leaps. Some sommersault, some do lay-
outs and some – just to show off – do complicated
corkscrews, spinning thrice before landing. They’re
best viewed here – in the wild, which is much not
comparable to animals performing and suffering
in captive entertainment facilities.
After a few frenzied minutes, Captain Reynaldo
Dolphin Tour Shots
Gregg Yan
shouts the three words we’ve been
waiting for all morning. “Pygmy
sperm whales!”
Drawn to the commotion, a pair
have come to snap up what the
dolphins have missed. We don’t
approach, staying the prescribed 100
meters from larger whales. I snap
shots as fast as I can but they’re too
far out. Remembering my favorite
scene from Walter Mitty, I exhale
and – reluctantly at first – lower
my camera. I take in the moment
and realize that often, the best
life memories should be recorded
with one’s eyes – not a lens. After a
magical minute, they’re gone.
Soon more boats arrive and we
head back to Bais to let other visitors
enjoy. Captain Reynaldo unleashes
the coup-de-grace – cold drinks and
watermelons. Frozen watermelons.
We laugh and dive in. As the
dolphins and whales have their
breakfast, so do we.
53