The trapped 3 meter- long whale shark while being released by fishermen.
Photo by GEMI FORMARAN
Whale shark trapped, freed along Lamon Bay in Quezon
LUCENA CITY— The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR)- Calabarzon is appealing to the public to report to the nearest office of the agency any sighting of endangered marine species in the ocean.
The agency made the appeal following the sighting of a whale shark (Rhincodon typus) along the seawaters of Bgy. Angeles, Atimonan, Quezon on the morning of August 23.
Quoting reports submitted by DENR- Community Environment and Natural Resouces Office (CENRO)- Calauag, DENR- Calabarzon -Regional Executive Director Nilo Tamoria said the whale shark was trapped in a fishing net near the seashore.
Tamoria said the marine specie appeared to have an estimated length of three meters and has no visible injuries.
He said fishermen, concerned residents, and local barangay officials joined hands to release the whale shark into safer part of Lamon Bay.
According to the Conservation and Development Division – Coastal Resources and Foreshore Management Section of DENR CALABARZON, this is not the first time a marine mammal was sighted in the area.
“This may indicate rich marine biodiversity in the area and we need to continue to conserve and protect the marine ecosystem. Kung ano ang ginagawa natin sa kagubatan at kalupaan, ay magkakaroon din ng epekto sa ating katubigan at karagatan. Kaya patuloy natin itong pag ingatan,” said Tamoria.
He also called on the public not to touch whale sharks when encountering one, adding that it is also advised not to feed the species as it can alter their behavior and could pose a harmful effect on them.
Based on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List, whale sharks have a decreasing population trend and are classified under the Endangered (EN) category – a designation applied to species at a very high risk of extinction due to rapid decline in population of 50 to 70 percent over the previous 10 years.
Meanwhile, identified major threats to whale sharks include fisheries catches, bycatch in nets, and vessel strikes.
