The IUCN/SSC Shark Specialist Group
Shark News 7: June 1996
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Philippine whale shark and manta
ray fisheries
A traditional, seasonal (April/May) whale shark fishery in Mindanao
and the Visayas, Philippines, was studied during a 15 day WWF field
trip in 1996. Three hunting communities were visited and several key
fishermen interviewed. These individuals know from experience
exactly when and where they can expect to encounter their prey,
which range in length from 14 to 40 feet. They also reported that
female sharks occasionally contain egg-like structures with blood
vessels, which they believe are fertilised whale shark eggs.
Although local whale shark hunting practices are still very
traditional, a large number of fish are taken each season by just a small
group of hunters. However, landings in 1996 were by far the lowest
recorded in a hunting season (about 90 whale sharks in total were
taken by all hunting communities interviewed). Most hunters agreed
that the population and catches of whale sharks in their locality have
been declining. One hunting community with about eight hunting
groups/boats (each boat has five fishermen on board) reported their
annual landings as 100 whale sharks during the 1994 hunting season,
80 last year (1995) and about 40 this year (1996). While external
factors may (even partly) be responsible for this trend, it is possible that
even this traditional fishery is unsustainable.
Whale shark skins, fins, jaws and meat were seen being dried for
market (it was not possible to interview traders, who are concerned
about the possibility that the whale shark hunt could be banned).
One manta ray with an approximately 12-foot wing span was seen
being caught on one of the islands. Fishermen on this single island
had, by end of May, reportedly landed about 1,000 rays since last
December. Their flesh is also dried and traded.
Romy Trono, Director of Conservation,
WWF-Philippine Program.
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