The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) Bicol has featured its Cetacean Cemetery, located at the agency’s regional office in Fabrica, Bula, Camarines Sur, to honor fallen marine mammals, and in commemoration of Undas 2025.

Every year during All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day, BFAR employees visit the site to light candles, offer flowers, and say prayers in remembrance of the marine mammals that have perished across the region, according to a report by RH 18 Ruel Saldico.

The Cetacean Cemetery was established in 2013 by the Fisheries Regional Emergency Stranding Response Team (FIRST) in response to the increasing incidents of whale and dolphin strandings and mortalities in the region. To date, a total of 14 marine mammals have been laid to rest at the site.

The species, according to BFAR, that were buried at the site include Risso’s dolphin, spinner dolphin, Fraser’s dolphin, dwarf sperm whale, Bryde’s whale, melon-headed whale, and striped dolphin. Most of these marine mammals reportedly died due to human-related activities, such as blast fishing, net entanglement, and ingestion of solid waste.

The project aims to remind the public of the vital role marine mammals play in maintaining the balance of the marine ecosystem and to encourage collective action to protect the ocean from activities that pose threats to its inhabitants.