New call for regulations on interaction with friendly whale sharks in Philippines

Fishermen in the Philippines are operating excursions for tourists where they are feeding baby shrimps to begging whale sharks in waters near the town of Oslob. The activity has led to an increase in tourists visiting the town since last August and the nature-lovers are keen to go scuba diving with sharks or help feed the friendly creatures during boat trips.

However, local fishermen are not aware of the effects that the unregulated tourism has on the natural way of life of the sharks. Despite posing no threat to humans and living on a diet of plankton, feeding the whale sharks as if they were pets can reduce their hunting instincts which will make them vulnerable to predators.

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Image by Mafia Island, on Flickr

Several tourists have also touched or stroked the whale sharks, which can cause distress to the marine animals. The activity is a concern for the town and a team made up of representatives from the Department of Tourism (DOT), Oceancare, and the Philippine Society for Scuba Philippine Commission on Sports Scuba Diving are looking into regulating the operations.

"We are now talking to the fisherfolk groups offering the services to tourists," explained the Regional Director of DOT, Rowena Montecillo. "We'll be helping them carry out their operations in a more environment-friendly manner that will not harm the whale sharks."

The town of Oslob is planning to set up a ticketing office and an office that will educate the visitors about the sharks while providing safety instructions prior to their excursions. Regulations will also be set up so that fishermen have to become registered operators if they want to offer excursions and go swimming with sharks.

Image by festeban, on Flickr.

Montecillo said that a reef assessment of the area will be carried to find out the population of the creatures and determine the overall health condition of the sharks.

Scuba diving with sharks is becoming an increasingly popular activity for tourists who go on scuba diving holidays in exotic destinations such as Egypt and the Caribbean. Though Oslob is not one of the leading scuba diving destinations in the Philippines, the shark-watching excursions are likely to attract a large number of visitors which will boost tourism arrivals in the town.

Montecillo added: "We are hoping to have a facility that can offer overnight stays because as of now, only those who own cars or take public transportation can easily come here. With the increasing popularity of this new attraction, we expect investments to come in. This is how tourism can help provide for livelihood especially among the locals."