Sad Ending For Batangas Thresher Sharks

[boljakool]

There has been this issue about Thresher Sharks being captured and killed around Batangas since late December 2007. So far, nobody has been sent to jail. A lot of people have already voiced their concerns and still a lot of the poor endangered sharks are being murdered. The Batangas City government will be holding a forum on April 2, 2008 to educate their fisher folks about the importance of saving the sharks.

I borrowed these photos from someone who sent me an e-mail...

[greatwolf]

That is sad. Paging Ate Vi!

[Mike Veitch]

are they a protected species in PI?

[bttmdwllr]

Folks fyi, WWf and Atty Tony oposa now drafting a bill making shark fishing illegal. Cynthia carrion who is in charge of the PCSSD will facilitate signing by GMA....

[clgsamson]

thanks

ps - a clarification pls., a bill? don't you mean an executive order?

[BrianMered]

Very sad to see these photo's, I have only ever seen one thresher while diving in the Seychelles, I realise now how fortunate I have been.

Hope those concerned persons in the Philippines and elsewhere can effect a positive change in the law and shark fishing.

[boljakool]

yes, shouldn't it be an executive order?

[chewie]

have forwarded to some contacts, hoping that it will reach the WWF & other environmental groups. hoping to get some press as well

[pakman]

more importantly, who's going to enforce the order?

[boljakool]

catching illegal fishing should be a job of the coast guard.

@chewie>>> first thing to be done should be to stop the indiscriminate catching, then educate the locals (both the fisherfolks & politicos) that they could earn more by saving the sharks. teach 'em bankeros to be guides for tourists and divers...