The role of the coastal communities as first responders of stranded marine mammals in East Java

Abstract

Marine mammals in Indonesia mainly consisting of whales and dolphins belonging to the Cetacean and duyung or dugong of the order Sirenia. These rare animals are protected by law. However, the frequency of marine mammal occurrences stranded in Indonesia is now getting higher, as in East Java. Based on data from whale stranding of Indonesia, at least 12 marine mammal stranded incident occurred only in East Java in 2003-2017. Some events are also reported by BKSDA East Java and BPSPL Denpasar. Knowledge and readiness of coastal communities is needed in the handling of fast and precise in accordance with the guidelines handling. Fast and proper handling of alive stranded animals can reduce the risk of death so that the animals' hope for life and can be restored to their habitats is higher. Whereas in dead stranded animals, rapid and good handling can reduce the risk of disease from stranded animal carcasses.

Keywords

• stranded marine mammals
• coastal community
• first responder