A whale shark was spotted near the Aguisan Port in Himamaylan City, Negros Occidental, at 2:30 a.m. Wednesday, April 17, and became an instant local celebrity.
A team composed of the Philippine Coast Guard, Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Management Council and Environment and Natural Resources Office (ENRO) immediately ensured the safety of the about 16-foot long whale shark and saw to its return to sea.
During high tide at 11 a.m. with the help of a concerned citizen the whale shark was guided back to sea, the Himamaylan ENRO reported on its Facebook page.
Among the reasons the whale shark swam close to shore could be because it was not feeling well or was stressed, the ENRO said.
Residents of coastal communities, especially fishermen, were reminded to protect whale sharks and not to harm them.
They are a protected species and harming them is punishable by law, the ENRO said.
Whale sharks are protected by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Flora and Fauna as well as by the United Nations Environment Programme’s Convention on Migratory Species.
Whale sharks are protected through Fisheries Administrative Order No. 193 in the Philippines.
Protecting wildlife is important in maintaining the balance of nature and for preserving our environment for today and for the generations to come, the ENRO also said.*