Whale sharks ‘seen’ in SRP waters

Thursday, February 23, 2012

FOR him to believe its existence, Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama asked for the photographs of two whale sharks that were reportedly spotted in the waters of the South Road Properties (SRP).

“Give me pictures,” said Rama when told about the report.

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Cebu City Bantay Dagat Commission Executive Director Ranulfo Sebusa told reporters last Tuesday that some fishermen have seen two whale sharks between late night and dawn.

Sebusa, however, admitted he has not seen the whale sharks but was only told about it.
Rama said that “to see is to believe.”

It is only that the City Government will look at the next step of possibly making Cebu City a tourist attraction because of whale sharks, similar to that in the southern town of Oslob.

Rama already had a slogan in mind, “Be at Kawit,” should the reported presence of
whale sharks is proven true.

After that, the City can discuss with Bantay Dagat how the fish can be protected. Then, it will also be determined if the whale sharks are harmful.

There are some fishermen that go to sea alone in small boats and the sighted whale sharks are reportedly as big as a pump boat.

“Why are we so eager? re they harmless?” asked Rama.

The mayor said this has to be discussed in depth because there are many ecological matters to consider.

According to a World Wildlife Fund consultant, there are about 10 whale sharks spotted in Cebu, all in Oslob.

The whale sharks have become an important source of income for Oslob, with majority of the proceeds from whale-watching going to the fishermen.