Rough-toothed dolphin caught, released in Ilocos Norte

BAGUIO City, Philippines - A two-meter long rough-toothed dolphin was immediately freed to shore a few hours after it was accidentally caught by fishermen in Barangay Pagsanaan, Badoc, Ilocos Norte on Tuesday.

Ilocos Norte Provincial Fishery Regulation Officer Arthur Valente confirmed on Thursday that the recovered endangered dolphin specie, weighing about 95 kilos, had minor wounds on its dorsal fin.

“However, we immediately released the dolphin at sea after it was fully–recovered a few hours following its capture,” Valente said.

Valente is advising  local fishermen to report immediately to them when they accidentally catch a dolphin.

“Anyone caught taking and slaughtering a dolphin will be charged in court for violating the country’s existing fishery laws,” he said.

Valente is currently conducting a series of dialogues and consultations with fishermen in Ilocos Norte to teach them on the proper management of recovered saltwater specie along the shorelines.

“A fisherman who discovered endangered saltwater animal specie should report immediately to the designated ‘bantay dagat” agent in their area or report directly to our office,” he said.

It was noted that the rough-toothed dolphin, which is scientifically known as “steno bredanensis,” is a species of dolphin that can be found in deep warm and tropical waters around the world.

The genus name Steno, of which this species is the only member, comes from the Greek for 'narrow' - referring to the animal's beak, which is a diagnostic characteristic of the specie.

The rough-toothed dolphin is a relatively large specie with adults ranging from 2.09 to 2.83 meters (6.9 to 9.3 ft) in length, and weighing between 90 and 155 kilograms (200 and 340 lb); males are larger than females.

Its most visible characteristic feature is its conical head and slender nose; other dolphins either have a shorter snout or a more visible bulging melon on the forehead.

As the common name for the dolphin specie implies, the teeth are also distinctive, having a roughened surface formed by numerous narrow irregular ridges.

The rough–toothed dolphin have been reported to have between 19 and 28 teeth in each quarter of the jaw.