3 of 17 dolphins sighted off Pangasinan die

DAGUPAN CITY, Philippines – Three of 17 dolphins that have been sighted in the Lingayen Gulf since Monday died from injuries believed to have been inflicted by humans, the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) said yesterday.

Some of the dolphins were found to have wounds that looked like they were hit by a spear, and one is being treated at the local BFAR office.

Westly Rosario, chief of BFAR’s National Integrated Fisheries Technology Center here, expressed dismay that some unscrupulous individuals view the animals as food.

Five dolphins were initially sighted along the coastal area in Aringay, La Union Monday afternoon. One of them died, another one was taken by an unidentified individual and three were released into the sea.

Another dolphin was found dead off Barangay San Isidro Norte, Binmaley town and another on Tondaligan beach in Dagupan City yesterday morning.

Rosario said Dagupan City Mayor Belen Fernandez informed him yesterday that four more dolphins were seen in the waters off Barangay Pugaro here.

One of the animals was being treated by the city veterinarian, while three were released into the sea.

Another caller informed Rosario that three dolphins were sighted in Lingayen.

Another dolphin was also spotted in the waters off Alaminos City while two more were seen in Sual town.

Rosario believes the dolphins’ wounds were inflicted by commercial fishing vessels.

 The three dolphins were buried yesterday at the BFAR Fish Cemetery.