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local sea conservation agency and a university led a joint operation to monitor protected sea mammals, including whales and dolphins, in Savu Sea in East Nusa Tenggara, a crucial habitat that supports marine life in neighboring seas.

The National Marine Conservation Agency (BKKPN) Kupang chapter and Muhammadiyah University’s Faculty of Fisheries and Marine Science in Kupang found the most clues of whale presence in Naikliu and Sulamu during the three-day operation in late April.

The team also identified at least 46 spinner dolphins in the waters.

“The appearance pattern corresponds with that of high tide movement, so between 7 and 9 a.m. local time, as well as between 4 and 5 p.m.,” agency head Ikram Sangadji told reporters over the weekend.

He added that the sea mammals had headed north off Timor Island in the morning and went the opposite direction in the afternoon.

Ikram said records gathered during the monitoring process were necessary to inform efforts to manage the protected zone.

According to the agency, most parts of Savu waters serve as spawning aggregation sites for fish with economic value in neighboring zones.

“The Savu Sea supports marine life and produces food for fish with economic value in neighboring zones. That’s why it’s very important,” he said.