Marine Mammal Protection in the Philippines with IMMP
By Mark J. Palmer
Our Philippines office of the International Marine Mammal Project, headed by Trixie Concepcion, Regional Director, has worked for decades to protect whales and dolphins in that country and all around the Pacific. Trixie and her crew monitor dozens of tuna companies in the Western Pacific Ocean, ensuring they fish in a manner that avoids harm to dolphins.
But Trixie and Co. go further.
On November 26th, 2025, Trixie and IMMP joined with Representative Renee Louise Co, part of the Kabataan party list, to reintroduce legislation to protect all marine mammals in the Philippines.
The Marine Mammal Protection Act provides for the establishment of a Marine Mammal Protection and Conservation Committee (MMPCC) that shall undertake research on marine mammals in the Philippines for the purpose of supporting environmental policies and conservation programs.
Philippines Representative Renee Louise Co Signs Papers for MMPA Introduction. Photo Credit: Angela Colmenares
27 species of whales and dolphins are found in the Philippines. One species, the Irrawaddy dolphin, is seriously endangered throughout its range in Southeast Asia, including the Philippines. IMMP Philippines has been spending time working to protect the habitat and reduce fishing entanglements for the Irrawaddy dolphin.
Major provisions in the bill include protection of wild populations of marine mammals from heavy industries such as offshore drilling, seismic tests, reclamation projects, black sand mining, and other destructive activities on known mammal migration routes, feeding, and mating habitats.
The bill also seeks to strengthen the role of scientists and scientific institutions as important advisory and recommendatory bodies in the implementation of conservation laws and rehabilitation programs of the government.
One salient feature of the bill is to protect marine mammals in Philippine waters from plastic pollution by strictly implementing the Solid Waste Management Act of the Philippines and controlling land-based garbage from reaching the oceans. Many stranded marine mammals reveal plastics in their gut.
Trixie Concepcion of IMMP (far right) joins Rep. Co and supporters to introduce the new law to protect marine mammals in the Philippines. Photo Credit: Angela Colmenares
Trixie Concepcion is banking on the support and hopes of the youth of the Philippines to help pass this legislation. She states, “If the youth take on the challenge in protecting the environment, I believe we can drastically alter environmental destruction in this generation.”
Representative Co stated, “We filed this today, the National Day of Environmental Consciousness, with the objective to remind the government that it is its mandate to care for our climate and the environment.”
As of this writing, the legislation is now pending in the Philippine Congress. We will bring you updates as activists push for passage.
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Your donations go to support the protection of endangered species like the Irrawaddy dolphin and the gray whale. The International Marine Mammal Project is working around the world to end the use of plastic entangling fishing gear and prevent captures of dolphins and small whales for captivity. We oppose offshore oil drilling and whaling. You can help whales and dolphins thrive in our oceans. Please consider a donation today. Thank you!
