PH now the second largest habitat of whale sharks — DENR
KORANADAL CITY – Fourteen (14) whale sharks (Rhincodon typus) spotted surface feeding in Sarangani Bay last March 9 has placed the Philippines in the map as the second largest habitat of whale sharks.
This is the second time that whale sharks were spotted in Sarangani Bay since 2014 where two whale sharks were spotted.
“The recent documentation of whale sharks in Sarangani Bay made the Philippines as the second largest known population of whale sharks in the world, according to the Wildbook for Whale Sharks, a global online library providing visual database of whale shark encounters around the world,” the DENR-12 said in a statement.
The DENR-12, through its GenSanbased Task Force Butanding, forwarded corresponding data to the Large Marine Vertebrates (LAMAWE) Research Institute for individual tagging of the 14 whale sharks.
It said the new discoveries were tagged as P1597, P1598, P1599, P1601, P1603, P1604, P1606, P1607, P1608, P1609, P1614, P1615, P1616, and P1605 in its continuous monitoring. The two whale sharks earlier found were tagged as P640 and P641, the DENR added.
Australia, which the LAMAWE named earlier as the second largest habitat of whale sharks, has been overtaken by the Philippines with the March 9 discovery. Mexico waters remain the world’s top whale sharks habitat, the DENR statement said.
“The Philippines’ (rise) to the
number two spot highlights (its) global significance… for the endangered species and emphasizes the country as a conservation leader for the species in South East Asia,” it added.
DENR-12 Regional Executive Director Nilo Tamoria commended members of the Task Force Butanding Gensan for their latest feat. The task force is a composite team responsible for the protection and conservation of whale sharks.
“We should intensify our information drive to the community on the presence of whale sharks in the area and the prohibited acts as stipulated in Republic Act 9147 or the Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act and other related laws,” Tamoria was quoted telling task force members.
Sarangani Gov. Steve Chiongbian-Solon ordered the Environmental Conservation and Protection Center (ECPC) to lead the research team together with DENR and local government units to gather relevant
data that would help in the conservation and protection of whale sharks.
Dr. Roy Operario Mejorada of the ECPC said his team’s daily monitoring of whale shark sightings and documenting their behaviors have drawn support from various quarters.
General Santos City Councilor Shandee Llido, Protected Area Superintendent Joy Ologuin and Dr. Rosalinda Cortez of the DENR-Saragani office are reported to be working on another ordinance declaring General Santos City waters a critical habitat of the whale sharks.