Biologist says BFAR should examine carcass in Dumanjug

CEBU, Philippines — Following the discovery of a mysterious marine creature's carcass last Monday on the shores of Dumanjug Town, Cebu, a marine biologist has called on the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) to conduct a thorough investigation to identify the species.

Darrell Blatchley, who is also the founder of a natural history museum in Davao, stressed the importance of identifying the creature, suggesting it could be a rare species.

Blatchley’s initial observations, based on photos and videos of the carcass, suggest it is likely a “whale shark or another large shark species.”

He compared the vertebrae structure of manta rays and sharks, noting that the carcass closely resembles that of a shark.

Furthermore, he urged BFAR to perform a necropsy on the carcass, analyzing its DNA and vertebrae to confirm its species.

“It’s important to investigate and try to find out what it is, as it could be a rare species,” Blatchley said.

“Knowing what species inhabit our oceans is crucial,” he added.

Blatchley also highlighted the environmental concerns impacting marine life, noting that out of 81 whale and dolphin necropsies he has conducted, 61 deaths were linked to plastic ingestion.

“This shows how much human activity is affecting our oceans,” he emphasized, adding that the plastic he recovered in these necropsies.

As cited by Blatchley, the Philippines is home to 27 of the world’s 81 known species of whales and dolphins, and new species continue to be discovered.

Blatchley expressed concern over what he views as BFAR’s reluctance to prioritize the conservation of the country’s marine biodiversity, stating that “not every resource should have a per kilo price tag.”

“The job of agencies like BFAR is to understand and protect the Philippines’ resources. Ignoring these cases is a loss to the nation’s natural heritage,” Blatchley pointed out.

On the other hand, Johann Tejada, Technical Assistant of BFAR-7 advised it is best to bury the carcass deep to prevent the potential spread of diseases that could harm both animals and humans.

"Ang animal nakit-an nato, in a state of decomposition na. To a point na iyahang form di na g’yud klaro," said Tejada.

BFAR-7 has advised the Dumanjug local government unit to bury the remains, citing potential disease risks to humans and animals.

Blatchley on the other hand dismissed the disease risk as a valid concern, arguing that proper handling and scientific investigation would mitigate any hazards — (FREEMAN)