Philippines

The Philippines has more than 200 species of sharks and rays, making the country one of the most important areas on the planet in shark and ray diversity. Only about 20% of these species have legal protection under local and international laws and illegal trade appears to be on the rise.¹

Shark and ray meats are traditionally cooked and served as an exotic dish, making it challenging for concerned authorities to enforce bans on catching specific species covered by local and international laws.

The demand for baby sharks is especially high due to a local dish where the meat is cooked in vinegar, called paksiw.² Shark’s fins and ray gill plates are also exported to neighboring countries.

Ecotourism has eased the pressure to fish for sharks. More than 170 members of the local fisherman’s association now feed the whale sharks and take guests out rather than fishing. More hotels and resorts have developed because of the whale sharks with 60% of the tourism revenue going to the fishermen, 30% to the municipality and 10% to the local village.³

The impact of feeding and human interaction, and the sustainability and conservation value of whale shark ecotourism is unknown. Whale sharks do not naturally come to Oslob, where whale shark watching began in 2011. The sharks are hand fed by former fishermen and while most sharks visit for a few days or weeks, about 4% become year round residents.This may cause ill effects both psychologically and behaviorally. The shrimp they are fed are a less diverse mix than what they would naturally consume. Whale sharks that associate boats with free food could be at risk – almost half the sharks have propellor cuts. If these migratory animals stay in one place for an extended time, it is unknown what effect it may have on their social interactions & movements. And while it is prohibited to touch or get close to the sharks, 95% of swimmers break the rules. Research is being conducted by the Large Marine Vertebrates Research Institute Philippines.⁴

Laws Protecting Sharks

In 1998, Fisheries Administrative Order (FAO)193 was passed which banned the taking, catching, selling, purchasing and possessing, transporting and exporting of Whale Sharks and Manta Rays. In spite of this legal protection, whale shark poaching still occurs as they are used for their meat, fins, oil & skin for bags.

While there are local ordinances that prohibit the catching, killing and selling of sharks, a national strategy to protect sharks is lacking.

In November 2017, Save the Sharks Network Philippines (SSNP), a collection of 25 NGO’s, dive operators & businesses launched the 2020 Conservation Roadmap for Sharks and Rays in the Philippines. The Roadmap tackles the complex issues surrounding shark conservation through 4 conservation pillars: research, communication, community engagement, and governance. Under the road map’s target, by 2020 scientific and knowledge-based policies should be developed, adopted and implemented at international, national and local levels, and by 2030 scientific research and local knowledge should be the standards for pursuing and/or updating shark-conservation policies.

Proposed Legislation

Shark Conservation Act of the Philippines / House Bill No. 8926⁵

Summary: seeks to regulate the catching, sale, purchase, possession, transportation, importation, and exportation of all sharks, rays, and chimaeras in the country.
Introduced: July 9, 2018 (as HB 7912)
Introduced by: House Speaker Gloria M. Arroyo
Latest Action: Approved during its third and final reading on February 4 2019, and has been transmitted to the Senate on February 6 2019.

Shark Conservation Act of the Philippines / Senate Bill No. 1863⁶

Summary: seeks to regulate the catching, sale, purchase, possession, transportation, importation, and exportation of all sharks, rays, and chimaeras in the country.
Introduced:  July 4, 2018
Introduced by: Sen. Risa Hontiveros
Latest Action: (7/25/2018) Pending in the Senate Committee of Agriculture and Food (primary) and the Senate Committee on Environment and the Natural Resources (secondary).

The Act also discusses provisions for establishing guidelines for tourist interactions with sharks, creation of shark sanctuaries, establishment of closed seasons for interaction for conservation purposes and support to fisherman to maintain sustainable practices.

Actions To Take

Philippines Resident

• Let your representatives know you support the Shark Conservation Act of the Philippines.
• Report sightings of sharks and ray species in markets, shops, or restaurants to SSNP (Save Sharks Network Philippines)
• Make ethical choices about consuming dishes containing shark. Opt for those that are fished sustainably and avoid vulnerable species.

Visitor to the Philippines

• Do not stay at any hotel or patronize any restaurants serving shark fin soup.  
• Report sightings of sharks and ray species in markets, shops, or restaurants to SSNP (Save Sharks Network Philippines)
• Make informed choices about where and when to dive with whale sharks.
  

Places To Dive with Sharks

• Donsol – whale sharks November – June
• Tubbataha Reefs National Park (UNESCO World Heritage Site) – white tip reef sharks, tiger sharks, hammerheads
• Malapascua – thresher sharks year round
• Oslob – whale sharks year-round (not recommended as the whale sharks do not come here naturally)

^{1 & 2} Road map gives sharks, rays conservation a boost
^{3 & 4} Inside the Chaotic World of Whale Shark Tourism
⁵ Shark Conservation Act of the Philippines / House Bill 8926
⁶ Shark Conservation Act of the Philippines / Senate Bill 1863