Dolphins in Indonesia: Sentinels of Marine Ecosystem Health

The appearance of dolphins on the surface of the sea is not just an interesting sight. The presence of these intelligent mammals can be a sign that the waters still provide food and habitats that support life. If they are seen less and less frequently, there is a possibility that the marine ecosystem is facing problems. Indonesia has 37 types of marine mammals, including 17 types of dolphins. Its waters, which connect the Pacific and Indian Oceans, make Indonesia an important habitat, stopover, and migratory route. The Banda Sea, Bali Strait, Lombok Strait, and Sawu Sea are some of the areas frequently traversed by dolphins. "Dolphins are marine mammals that swim long distances. They can find new habitats in other locations, even different oceans," said Dondy Arafat, a lecturer at the Department of Marine Science and Technology, IPB University. Types often encountered in Indonesia include bottlenose dolphins, spinner dolphins, spotted dolphins, and Risso's dolphins. Some only pass through, while others choose to settle temporarily or for a long time. However, their journeys are fraught with threats. Dolphins can become entangled in fishing gear as bycatch. They also face plastic waste, marine pollution, destruction of coastal habitats, hunting, and ship noise that disrupts communication and echolocation capabilities. Uncontrolled tourism can also increase pressure on them. Climate change exacerbates these threats. Rising sea temperatures can alter ecosystems and affect food availability. These disturbances are suspected to increase the risk of dolphins stranding and dying. Ironically, population data for dolphins in Indonesia remains very limited. Mira Sekar, a marine mammal expert from the Research Center for Biota Systems at BRIN, stated that most new population research is currently focused on the Irrawaddy dolphin (pesut mahakam). "Research is very expensive, requires a large budget, and greater commitment to these species," she said. Source: Mongabay Indonesia