If found to be new migrants, he said it will bring the documented whale sharks in the bay to as high as 21.
Since January, the research team documented 14 new whale sharks, specifically spotted surface-feeding in the waters off the Queen Tuna Park and Purok Silway here and at the Tuka Marine Park in Kiamba, Sarangani.
In 2014, two whale sharks, tagged as P640 and P641, were documented off the coasts of this city, making their current total count to 16.
ECPC, which is under the office of Sarangani Gov. Steve Chiongbian Solon, was earlier tapped by the newly-activated Task Force Butanding-GenSan to lead the whale shark research.
The task force is composed of City Environment and Natural Resources Office, City Tourism Council, Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, Department of Tourism, Philippine Coast Guard, Protected Area Management Board, Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and the coastal barangays here.
In response to the whale shark sightings in Alabel, Mejorada said Gov. Solon directed the implementation of measures to ensure the proper protection of the “gentle giants of the sea.”
“We need the cooperation of everyone to maintain a healthy environment for the whale sharks,” he said.
He said residents and fishermen should not be afraid of the whale sharks as these don’t harm humans.
Mejorada said they should be allowed to just feed off the small fishes, which is abundant in the Sarangani Bay.||| |||buy spiriva inhaler online with |||
“Just let them be in the wild. We should not get close to them, hold, ride or harm them in any way. If you take pictures, don’t use flash,” he said.||| |||buy ocuflox online with |||
