Whale shark interaction activities in Bohol have been suspended.
Photo: Unsplash
Bohol Governor Erico Aristotle Aumentado signed Executive Order (EO) No. 10 on February 3 to halt whale shark watching in the towns of Lila, Alburquerque, and Dauis.
The order was issued after the inter-agency team discovered that whale shark interactions involved feeding them with krill, a small, shrimp-like animal, in violation of Provincial Ordinance No. 2020-008 and Joint Memorandum Circular No. 1 Series of 2020. The team also found that the krill on the water’s surface caused a foul smell, raising concerns in Panglao and Balicasag islands.
According to the Bohol Local Government Unit (LGU), operators also lacked permits from national agencies, including the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR), to conduct these activities.
In a statement, Aumentado emphasized that feeding whale sharks disrupts their natural behavior, threatens the ecological balance, and damages the local tourism industry.
He clarified that Bohol does not oppose whale shark interaction tourism, but insists that it must be conducted sustainably and in accordance with local ordinances, national laws, and regulations.
“The ban on whale shark interactions will remain in effect until all regulatory requirements are met and verified by the concerned national agencies, following consultations with stakeholders and conservation groups,” the Bohol LGU underscored.
Whale shark interaction activities are among the most popular tourist attractions in Bohol.
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