Biodiversity researchers believe life of marine mammals is becoming more and more endangered while environmentalists are worried about dead dolphins floating one after another at regular intervals at various places of Kuakata beach in Patuakhali.
Eight dead dolphins were found floating in different places off the Kuakata beach last August. A 12-foot-long dolphin was found at the beginning of September.
They believe that if effective protection measures are not taken now, it will be difficult to protect marine mammals. Moreover, the balance of the marine environment will be disturbed.
The people concerned could not find any specific reason as to why so many dolphins are dying. However, the Kuakata Dolphin Protection Committee, along with the government team, has found some reasons.
They think this could be happening due to dolphins being trapped in Behunti net, getting hit by trawlers at sea, giant animals, pollution of seawater and natural causes. When the locals saw the dead dolphins and informed the Upazila Fisheries Officers, they were asked to bury them. Besides, this work has also been done at the initiative of the fisheries officers.
Dead dolphins are now floating at various points of Kuakata beach at regular intervals. In addition to dolphins, body parts of whales are also found at different times.
The concerned people think that this could be happening due to the movement of fishing boats in the sea, fishermen's nets as well as the aggressive attitude of the fishermen.
It has been known that these dolphins move freely in the sea as there is a ban on fishing in the sea for 65 days. As soon as the ban is lifted, fishing trawlers, fishermen's nets and the aggressive attitude of the fishermen become an obstacle for them.
This is suggested by the injuries in the face of dead dolphins and their bodies being wrapped in nets.
Local fisherman Farooq Nazir said, "Sometimes we catch rare species of fish, dolphins and other aquatic animals in our nets. To protect our nets, we either have to hit them or cut our nets. After their death, these dead aquatic animals float to different places through the tidal water.”
Nurjahan Sumi, a lecturer in the animal department at Muktijoddha Memorial Degree College, said a dolphin’s body temperature is 36.6 degrees. Dolphins breathe through their lungs. As a result, these marine mammals can die quickly due to being trapped.
Ruman Imtiaz Tushar, head of the Kuakata Dolphin Protection Committee said “Dolphins have a playful mentality. They eat small fish in groups. They don’t do any harm to mankind. As the fishermen of the sea are unaware and do not have a good idea about dolphins, they kill them when caught in the fishermen’s nets. The fishermen need to be trained and given ideas about dolphins.”
He also demanded a sanctuary to protect the dolphins.
Sagarika Smriti, an assistant researcher of WorldFish Center Bangladesh's ECOFISH project, said dolphins die quickly if they are trapped in a net and cannot breathe for 10-15 minutes.
“Seeing the dead dolphins it can be said that they are dying due to injuries. They have nets wrapped around their bodies. If the fishermen are not made aware now, these marine mammals will continue to be lost,” she said.
Kalapara Upazila Fisheries Officer Apu Saha said, "They don't have eyes, they navigate through echolocation. As their body is soft, they cannot bear various injuries and die within a short time. They also die naturally, getting hit by ships and by being trapped in the nets of fishermen. However, they can be protected if the concerned officials come forward. This species is protected under the Bangladesh Wildlife (Conservation and Security) Act, 2012.”
He added that if the bodies of the dead dolphins had been autopsied, the cause behind their death would have come out.