A MANAGEMENT officer of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) yesterday said that a technical working group (TWG) will meet on Oct. 16 to discuss recommendations for the whale shark tourism in Oslob town.
In the Kapihan sa PIA (Philippine Information Agency) yesterday, Reynaldo Bueno said there are more than 300 whale sharks, mostly juvenile, in Oslob.
There are also more than 800 tourists who visit the town every day.
The TWG includes the DENR, the Regional Foreshore Area Task Force (RFATF), the Cebu Provincial Tourism Office, the local government unit (LGU) of Oslob and other stakeholders.
The TWG was created to resolve issues related to the whale shark watching tours in Oslob.
It will also look at the issue on pollution.
It has been noted that Oslob, located in southern Cebu, became a tourist destination because of the popularity of the whale shark watching tours.
“We are looking at the conservation side for the sharks, the tourism industry and the business of the people. We are also (looking into) how many people are ideally allowed to visit the area every day. But on the DENR’s part, we are for conservation,” Bueno said.
He said the feeding of the whale sharks by tourists can have a negative effect on the sharks themselves.
Provincial Environment and National Resources Officer Nestor Canda said Oslob’s waters are unique, which makes the area a favorite of whale sharks. (EOB)