Sarangani Shark Slaughter

[jr.dm]

I am glad that these photos make divers angry. However, before people start feeling sorry for these poor fisherman, allow me to explain a few things. I know and deal with hundreds of "poor" fisherman on a daily basis. The vast majority of them are handline tuna fisherman. They do not target sharks! However, they will carch sharks as a by catch. They do manage to feed their families by targeting tuna.

The sharks in these pictures were caught by fishermen who went out fishing and targeted sharks. If that is not bad enough, on the way to the fishing grounds they search for dolphins and spear them to use as bait to catch the sharks. These guys take the easy way and do not care about the outcome. They know exactly what they are doing.

Most of the Sarangani government people do not know and do not care what is going on down here. As for the "big boy" officials of the area, they are too busy trying get re elected and also build a coal fired power plant on the best reef in Southern Mindanao.

 

[NAUI6606]

As much as I don't like sharks being slaughtered, you still have to consider, do these people actually have a choice?

Unless we could offer a better alternative to these fishermen, this isn't going to stop in the near future.

I cannot agree more, it is easy to condemn these fishermen rather than seeking constructive alternatives.

 

[Gen San Chris]

Its very unfortunate but in this area over the years, many organisations have promissed all kinds of different livelyhood projects but so far have not come up with any! The genuine poor fisherman is usually no problem as he will go and catch what he can to feed his family but these idiots target the sharks as there is a lot of money in the fins but not too much in the carcase!
There are no real laws to stop this but GMA is talking about one! Lets hope that she acts fast!

 

[chip104]

Went to the economic fish port and was saddened by seeing the sharks there (including an 85kg beauty). After talking to a couple of the locals I was told that it was legal and a couple of them even said there was a permit to be able to catch sharks.

Kinda made me realize how other LGUs used to be in the same situation and made me wonder about the amount of work they've had to do to progress.

 

[chip104]

As for the "big boy" officials of the area, they are too busy trying get re elected...

I blame Pacquiao...

That coal plant is a catch 22 as it will provide economic growth to better the lives of these fisherman. Their kids will have alternate career choices so that they have the option to no longer choose a profession that involves directly catching sharks and taking "the easy way out".

 

[jr.dm]

The coal fired power plant will not help the economy or give the fisherman an alternative. That is the spin the "power" people put out.

 

[chip104]

The coal fired power plant will not help the economy or give the fisherman an alternative. That is the spin the "power" people put out.

would love for you to elaborate on this to help people change their opinion on the topic.

 

[Babydamulag]

The whole "ECO-FRIENDLY, CONSERVATIONISM MOVEMENT" in the Philippines is just as broken as it is everywhere else in the world. As this current generation of politicians die off we will see improvements. It is the Baby-Boomers (my generation) that got us into this mess of over-consumption and eco-destruction. Now, I hope there is enough for you X-GEN folks to salvage by the time we all kick-off.

 

[jr.dm]

OK Chip 104, I will try my best. Here in Southern Mindanao we already have enough electricity to take care of the area's needs now and in the near future. Additional capacity that will be needed for the area can be developed by using renewables. Wind is very feaseable here along the coast and in higher elevation. Sarangani Bay forms a fantastic funnel that the wind increases as it enters and flows up into the bay. Although the big "power" experts will say its not enough. It is not enough for what they want. That is electricy for the big mining projects they want to do over the next few years. Wind capacity is good for the area's residents needs and for the small and medium industries. Solar at present maybe too costly for most applications. However, I am sure over the next 5 years or so, that new solar technology will come on line and make it more cost effective. Let me tell you. the sun sure does shine here alot.

If the "big boys" have their way, there will be a coal fired power plant that they have declared in the past, that they want to build up to 900 MW capacity. That would make it one of if not the biggest in the PI. This is proposed to be built addjacent to the best reef in Southern Mindanao. There would also be coal mining inthe nearby mountains. Also a big copper and gold mine are planned in the area. Limestone and nickel mines are also on the board for starting and expansion. All open pit mines are these.

To make a long story short, this so called "development" will degrade the area and make the average and below average people worse off in the long term. Of course all of this "development" is proposed and owned by the polically conected people along with the foriegn partnerns.

I hope this makes it clearer for you. Thank you for your interest. You can help us down here by helping to get the word out.

 

[Dr. Stan]

OK Chip 104, I will try my best. Here in Southern Mindanao we already have enough electricity to take care of the area's needs now and in the near future. Additional capacity that will be needed for the area can be developed by using renewables. Wind is very feaseable here along the coast and in higher elevation. Sarangani Bay forms a fantastic funnel that the wind increases as it enters and flows up into the bay. Although the big "power" experts will say its not enough. It is not enough for what they want. That is electricy for the big mining projects they want to do over the next few years. Wind capacity is good for the area's residents needs and for the small and medium industries. Solar at present maybe too costly for most applications. However, I am sure over the next 5 years or so, that new solar technology will come on line and make it more cost effective. Let me tell you. the sun sure does shine here alot.

If the "big boys" have their way, there will be a coal fired power plant that they have declared in the past, that they want to build up to 900 MW capacity. That would make it one of if not the biggest in the PI. This is proposed to be built addjacent to the best reef in Southern Mindanao. There would also be coal mining inthe nearby mountains. Also a big copper and gold mine are planned in the area. Limestone and nickel mines are also on the board for starting and expansion. All open pit mines are these.

To make a long story short, this so called "development" will degrade the area and make the average and below average people worse off in the long term. Of course all of this "development" is proposed and owned by the polically conected people along with the foriegn partnerns.

I hope this makes it clearer for you. Thank you for your interest. You can help us down here by helping to get the word out.

Thanks for the local perspective John. More power to you ....