Megamouth Shark #28
January 30, 2005
Release from: Elson T. Elizaga
MEGAMOUTH 25 WAS CAUGHT IN THE NET of Sofronio Casaņares in Macajalar Bay, Philippines, around 3 am on January 30, 2005. The
fish dragged Casaņares' paddle-driven banca for about an hour, until it stopped, apparently exhausted.
Casaņares 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.
Initial reports indicate that Casaņares sliced off the fins because he was upset that the fish had destroyed his net. Casaņares
hasn't been interviewed by this writer, however.
Radio station Bombo Radyo reported the find early morning. Officials from the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR),
City Agriculture Office (CAO) and several journalists came and made documentation. BFAR and CAO officials decided to bury the
fish at the bank of the estuary, following Fisheries Administrative Order 208, which provides that the carcass of an endangered
marine animal should 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 |
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Megamouth #28- healed wound?
© Elson T. Elizaga |
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Megamouth #28 - pushing the fish to the river bank
© Elson T. Elizaga |
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Megamouth #28 - preparing for dissection
© Elson T. Elizaga |
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Megamouth #28 - preparing for dissection
© Elson T. Elizaga |
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Megamouth #28 - dissection
© Elson T. Elizaga |
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Megamouth #28
Newspaper photograph |
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