Balantak Waters witnessed a dead sperm whale who can't get away.

One whale was stranded and died on the coast of Tanjung Balantak Beach, Talang Batu Village, Banggai, Central Sulawesi, Tuesday (21/2/23), around 07.00 am. The people are excited.  Information quickly spread through Facebook social media. Large number of people gathered around the whale at the location.

 Samlan, Fisheries Extension Officer of Balantak District, said Balantak waters located in WPP 715 are a route for large fish. However, for the first time, this marine mammal was stranded in Balantak waters.

 Whale carcasses were drowned. The sinking option was made because the condition of the rocky beach and the large stranded body of the whale made it difficult for the team to pull it to the shore. Also, do not allow burial in the vicinity of the stranding area.

 This is not the only time marine mammals in Banggai land. On November 8, 2021,  the community and fishermen in Pasos Lalongo Village, Central Banggai District, Banggai Laut, found a stranded and dead blue whale (Balaenoptera musculus) about 12 meters long. On 30 April 4, 2022, local residents found a dead whale weighing six tons stranded on the coast of Leme-leme Village Beach, Buko District, Banggai Islands.   

One whale was stranded and died on the coast of Tanjung Balantak, Talang Batu Village, Banggai, Central Sulawesi, Tuesday (21/2/23), around 07.00 am. The people are excited. Information quickly spread through Facebook social media. People flocked to the scene.

"I received news from the fishermen and went straight to the TKP at 07.00 in the morning," said Jakson Nursin, a resident of Talang Batu when contacted by Mongabay via telephone, Wednesday(22/2/23).

Upon arrival at the location, already a lot of people gathered. Jackson drew closer, paying attention to details, it turned out that the large stranded animal was a whale.

“The fisherman told me that at 4:00 he saw the whale tossing around and the whale eventually died. They also said, the big waves made the whale run aground and stranded all the way to the coast," said Jackson.

When contacted by Mongabay, Samlan, the Fisheries Extension Officer of Balantak District, confirmed that there were marine mammals stranded in Balantak waters.

"He sent a photo, it turned out to be a stranded whale," said Samlan via cell phone, Wednesday (22/2/23).

After he identified it through a photo, he said, it turned out that it was a sperm whale ( Physeter macrocephalus ) that was stranded.

Salman said that sperm whales are easy to identify with their large bodies and the left side of the head has a blow hole that can shoot water into the air.

While the front of the head has a white substance (spermatocyte). Sperm whales are named after the spermatocyte fluid they have. This sperm whale is one of 35 types of marine mammals in Indonesia.

He immediately asked members of his fishing group to evacuate stranded whales to deep waters as soon as possible. Not yet evacuated, the stranded sperm whale died.

"When he was found, residents were already dying. The fishermen have difficulty approaching because the waves are quite high."

Samlan said, Balantak waters, which are located in WPP 715, are passageways for large fish. However, for the first time, this marine mammal was stranded in Balantak waters.

“Ever saw me while fishing for whales. It just doesn't show up often, only occasionally."

In line with Samlan, Getreda M. Hehanusa, Head of BPSPL Makassar, said the marine mammal that was stranded in Balantak waters was a dying sperm whale . This boxhead whale was found with injuries to its head and abdomen.

"Based on observations and morphometric data collection, it was found that the sperm whale is about eight meters long and is male," he told Mongabay , Thursday (23/2/23).

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Handling b numbers

Based on information collected by BPSPL Makassar, the dead sperm whale was successfully evacuated by the community, fisheries extension officers, who worked with the local police.

"Based on the coordination between BPSPL Makassar and the network in Luwuk, the whale was successfully handled, pulled out to sea and then drowned," said Getreda.

The diving option was made because the condition of the rocky beach and the large stranded body of the whale made it difficult for the team to pull it to the shore. Also, do not allow burial around the stranding area.

"If a human, unfortunately, came in direct contact with the whale carcass it will have a negative effect on the health of the individual. It is highly discouraged to have direct contact with a decaying whale carcass without adequate personal protection," he said.

Generally, the decaying carcasses of marine mammals contain bacteria that pose a risk to humans.

According to the " Marine Mammal Management Handbook" (2018) ,  one problem that will be faced if a marine mammal is stranded alive or dead is a problem for public health and the environment.

Dead sea mammals are also not recommended for consumption, let alone touched by pregnant women and children. As much as possible, avoid contact with dead marine mammals.

This is not the only time marine mammals in Banggai land. On November 8 2021, the community and fishermen in Pasos Lalongo Village, Central Banggai District, Banggai Laut, found a blue whale ( Balaenoptera musculus ) stranded and dead about 12 meters long. On April 30, 4 2022, residents found a whale weighing six tons dead stranded on the coast of Leme-leme Village Beach, Buko District, Banggai Islands.