The Manila Bulletin On-line reported the discovery of a 7.6 m whale shark found dead off coast of
Masbate. Fishermen from the village of Barangay Burok-Burokan
Monreal, spotted the floating carcass of the whale shark at 4 a.m. and immediately notified the municipal officials who, in turn, notified the police and the Philippine Coast Guard.
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Whale shark
encounter off Donsol. Photo, Sorsogon Tourism
Dept. |
During investigation the authorities found that the animal suffered 12 bullet wounds in the head. It was suspected that armed illegal fishermen poaching in the narrow channel between Monreal town on Ticao Island, Masbate and Donsol, Sorsogon were responsible for the death of the whale shark
Previous whale shark deaths in the area had been attributed to accidental entrapment in fishing gear however, illegal fishing operations, conducted by armed groups, is the primary concern of the regional council.
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Whale shark
encounter boats off Donsol. Photo, Albay Provincial
Tourism Dept. |
Whale sharks are one of the leading tourism attraction in this region responsible for 9,000 tourist arrivals in the Donsol, Sorsogon area since January this year.
Such unlawful activity is hardly likely to help this
fledgling eco-tourism activity
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