Whale shark slaughter-tingloy,batangas (near anilao)

[shugar]

We've forwarded these photos and others on this thread to the office of President GMA herself. She apparently is also a diver and may be sympathetic to the cause. Naive??? Perhaps. Does it hurt?... not at all.

Thanks to those involved in minimizing the suffering of the animal and those initiating the local campaign to seek out the people responsible for this.

for sure this news has already made it to the president's ears.

the presidential dive club (for lack of a better term) include Gigi Santos, Yvette Lee, and Tessa Prieto... all with ears in the media and the dive industry.

The shark made news in the inquirer - where Tessa is a writer (and owner i believe)

Was with Joel Uichico here in Barce and even he had heard about it - and he's now based in bohol...

Media does have its purpose... Facebook, SB, PDI or whatnot... thank God it's not all Kris Aquino

Jag

 

[kwhkg]

i think Gigi santos is GMA's dive instructor

 

[Coo]

Just a a response to Hank49 - much as I appreciate your argument, (and our DM was also in favour of your choice) there is also the opposite thought that if you then distribute the rest of the meat to the people, you are not actively showing the extent of the waste of life - in fact you are spreading the wealth of such a death. If there is benefit for all the local people when one fisherman cuts off the fins, how can that encourage local people from fighting this atrocity? On the other hand, if you do as fstbttms suggests (which is an idea that I support), then at least the future of the ecosystem that will one day be the true future of the area is being supported and nourished. The whale shark goes back to the ocean in her death where she truly belongs as a deceased underwater creature. Its just completely hideous that she did not have the chance to truly live as long as she should have in that ocean.
Just my thoughts...

 

[satellitediver]

I am in Bohol, Philippines and divers here are outraged at the slaughter.

You cut a net to save a fish... you cut a fish to save the net and sell the fins. The cuts are clean and not from netting working its way through the flesh. Many divers here are on the lookout for the fishermen who did this.

That said, it is hard is hard for many locals who depend on the waters for their incomes & food. But as many locals now depend on "Whale Watching" trips for their incomes along with leading dives and touurism, this diver hopes a balance can be reached between the worlds.

I was lucky enough to snorkel with an adult male (7M) for a few minutes after completing two dives. They are a majestic fish and would be a shame if there numbers are reduced to the point they are so rare no incomes can be generated from their presence.

Now if anyone knows where I can find a Manta...
Cheers,
R.

An instructor here, Danny Brumbach is looking for people who support efforts and can be reached via FaceBook for more information on this unfortunate but not uncommon event.

 

[Propatriamori]

Re: Mantas...

Heard from my DM last weekend that someone (a diver) spotted a Manta being Spear fished off Maricaban island. If this can happen right after the Whale shark incident then the patrols are not getting the job done.

I did a dive off Nasugbu last month and spotted a school of 15-20 small Mantas.

 

[kwhkg]

IF that is true it seems the Bantay Dagat is USELESS

 

[Wantonmien]

Congratulations in the Philippines for raising enough voices.

Gentle Whale Sharks of the Philippines get president's attention

Cheers

 

[drbill]

Yes, I read a story about GMA's actions yesterday. Hope her efforts will be effective.

 

[boljakool]

"naka-dive ka na ba sa dagat ng basura?" (have you dived in a sea of garbage?) let's just hope that the next set of government official will have more concern about taking care of our environment. maybe come up with programs to educate more people that we can have more visitors if we can offer more beautiful things to see when they come over to this wonderful country.

 

[xariatay]

A friend shared this video on FB this morning YouTube - ????????????????.flv (it is in Cantonese, by HK's Apple Daily) Although it is water under the bridge now, the anger & sadness is still difficult to contain, watching this finless whaleshark gasping for its last breaths on the beach... Hope the whaleshark didn't die in vain.