Saturday, March 04, 2006
Whale sharks are in Sarangani Bay
ALABEL, Sarangani -- A pair of whale sharks have been feeding for days in Sarangani Bay, near the outfalls of a fishpond's main canals in Barangay Maribulan.
The whale sharks, occasionally joined by a manta ray, are feeding in waters "full of phytoplanktons, which is the base food of the marine life food chain," according to marine biologist Giuseppe Chew.
"The animals were feeding on the plankton-rich water all day long with no sign of distress and disturbance," Chew said.
"The whale sharks were very friendly. We swam with them," said Governor Miguel Dominguez.
Chew said the sharks were about eight meters long, with white spots and vertical lines.
Chew, who is also the provincial agriculturist-in-charge, said whale sharks (Rhincodon typus) and mantas (devilfish) were two of the largest living fishes in the world.
Both specie feed on small planktonic organisms in seawater, he said.
Whale sharks, known in the Philippines as butanding, are tourist attractions in Donsol, a fishing town in Sorsogon province.
Fisherman Juanito Gieto said he has been sighting the whale sharks since Tuesday last week from the jetty of Alsons.
"They were feeding on small fishes," he said.
A whale shark, just few days back, was still feeding some 100 meters from the outfalls of the Alsons fishpond's main canals.
The massive fish was swimming with its mouth open, sucking water. It was cruising slowly along the surface and very visible from the shore.
"We are observing the whale sharks," Dominguez said.
"Hopefully the sightings will continue because of our efforts to conserve Sarangani Bay and stop illegal fishing," he added.
According to Chew, a whale shark poses little risk to humans.
However, he recommended limiting the access of the butanding to human beings especially those using motorized banca.
Whale sharks and mantas are highly migratory, Chew said.
They are observed in many areas of the Philippines, occurring singly or in groups, near shore and offshore.
Fishery records show they are abundant particularly around Bohol and Sulu Seas and southeastern Mindanao and recently at Donsol, Sorsogon, Honda Bay, Palawan, and Zambales coasts. (Sarangani Information Office)
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