The Philippines is home to many endangered species. For example, we are the only country that has an established pelagic thresher shark dive industry. Many divers from all over the world visit Monad Shoal near Malapascua Island, Daanbantayan to see these great creatures everyday.
READ: Help Protect Philippine Thresher Sharks—Sign Petition Here
Aside from Malapascua in Cebu, Thresher Sharks are also protected in Batangas, Bohol and Palawan. Though there are many environmental and preservation efforts, Thresher Sharks are still hunted in different parts of the Philppines and all around the world. They are consumed locally but their finds are sold in the international market to be used in shark fin soup.
Here are 7 thing to know about Thresher Sharks and why you should help save them:
7. 70% decline in population
The number of Thresher Sharks in the world have declined rapidly. This is a result of directed fishery with the remaining populations having difficulty reproducing. Population decline is expected to continue if they will be continued to be hunted.
6. Shark fins are a business
Dried Shark Fins can be priced up to Php 8,000 per kilo, depending on the size and type. Aside from Shark Fin soup, shark meat and fins are also ingredients for dumplings and fishballs. There are three kinds of sharks used for these: the Big-eye Thresher, Common Thresher, and Pelagic Thresher.
5. Monad Shoal in the Philippines is a shark sanctuary
As mentioned, the Philippines is the only country with an established Pelagic Thresher Shark Scuba Diving Industry. Divers can observe the sharks there daily.
4. Not all shark species are protected
Not all species of sharks are protected. Only the Whale Shark and the Giant Manta Ray are protected; only two out of 200 elasmobranchs species in the country.
3. Thresher Shark protection helps local livelihood
Daanbantayan’s tourism and protection efforts for the Thresher Sharks helped them establish an industry that accounts for its annual GDP.
2. There is no Law to protect Thresher Sharks
Whether International or Local, there is no law that protects the Thresher Sharks. They can be caught, transported, and sold legally outside of Cebu.
1.The Philippines is the home of Thresher Sharks
The Philippines is blessed with a beautiful environment, and along with that are species that help balance the ecosystem. Thresher Sharks have established homes in different parts of the Philippines and if people keep hunting them, there will be none of them left.
With the Philippines CITES Management Authority for aquatic and marine species and the BFAR, you have the option to vote on the listing of Thresher Sharks to be protected in Philippine and international waters. You can check and sign the petition on www.change.org/p/philippines-vote-yes-for-threshers
#PHsaysYES #SaveThresherTala #StopTheThresherHunt
