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CHARITY BLOG
WWF – PROSECUTE THE WHALE SHARK BUTCHERS
Philippines whale shark had fins cut off and was left for dead in the sea
WWF is calling for the prosecution of fishermen who sliced off the dorsal and pectoral fins from an 18-foot whale shark in the Philippines.
The international conservation group is urging local authorities to step up enforcement in an effort to prevent a repeat of the incident.
“This is a real eye-opener, for it proves that the slaughter of endangered species – even one as big as a butanding – can still take place if we let our guard down,” said Joel Palma, vice president of WWF-Philippines Conservation Programs. “The public and private sectors must come together to refine and polish current conservation mechanisms.”
The whale shark was by found by SCUBA divers, floating belly up and fighting for its life, in the waters surrounding Tingloy town. It was taken to calmer waters where it was splinted to minimize further injury and reduce pain.
“Sadly, its wounds were too great – and the shark, nicknamed ‘Tingloy Baby,’ died the next day,” said Gregg Yan, information, education and communications officer of WWF-Philippines.
A full investigation would be undertaken to track down and prosecute the culprits, said Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources director Malcolm Sarmiento.
The whale shark is one of seven species that some 50 countries in the Indo-Pacific region have pledged to protect under the first memorandum of understanding of its kind. For decades Filipinos have hunted whale sharks.
Dan Sumner
