Megamouth Shark #28 Caught off the Philippines

January 30, 2005

Release from: Elson T. Elizaga


Megamouth 28 was caught in the net of Sofronio Casañares in Macajalar Bay, Philippines at approximately 3 am on January 30, 2005. The fish dragged Casañares' paddle-driven banca for an hour until it stopped, at which time it was apparently exhausted.

Casañares called another fisherman on a pumpboat to help him bring the fish to the shore of Barangay Gusa, near the estuary of Bigaan River and Villa Ernesto Subdivision, Phase II.

An initial report indicates that Casañares sliced off the fins because he was upset that the fish destroyed his net. However, Casañares hasn't been interviewed by this author.

Radio station Bombo Radyo reported the find in the early morning. Officials from the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), City Agriculture Office (CAO) and several journalists came to document the event. According to Fisheries Administrative Order 208 the BFAR and CAO official buried the shark in the bank of the estuary; this states, a carcass of an endangered marine animal is to be buried after documentation.

BFAR and CAO officials, however, agreed with this writer, who suggested that the animal be first dissected in order to find eggs or embryos, which could be preserved for scientific study. A butcher performed the dissection, with Barangay councilor Prospero Abrio present as witness.

Megamouth #28 - at the beach
© Elson T. Elizaga

Megamouth #28- healed wound?
© Elson T. Elizaga

Megamouth #28 - pushing the fish to the river bank
© Elson T. Elizaga

Megamouth #28 - preparing for dissection
© Elson T. Elizaga

Megamouth #28 - preparing for dissection
© Elson T. Elizaga

Megamouth #28 - dissection
© Elson T. Elizaga

Megamouth #28
Newspaper photograph