ILLEGAL FISHING THREATENING WHALE SHARKS
First posted 10:46pm (Mla time) Oct 13, 2004
Inquirer News Service
Editor's Note: Published on page A15 of the Oct. 14, 2004 issue of the Philippine Daily Inquirer

DONSOL, Sorsogon, Philippines -- Environmental activists are asking government to stop illegal fishing in this town made famous by whale sharks that have made its waters a feeding ground. They warned that unless illegal fishing was stopped, the whale sharks would leave the area and could put an end to a tourism industry that has helped this town survive economically. Members of the Task Force Sagip Kalikasan-Bantay Karagatan said illegal fishing vessels, locally known as pangulong, continue to operate in Donsol waters despite efforts to stop them. The vessels use strong lights and very fine mesh nets. Donsol is dubbed as the Whale Shark Capital of the World because of the presence of the whale sharks, locally known as butanding (Rhincodon typus) in its municipal waters. "It will greatly affect the whale sharks because the pangulong is operating directly in the municipal waters," Ding Manrique, TFSK-BK chair, told the Inquirer. He said although the whale sharks feed on small fishes, the very fine mesh nets being used by the pangulong will also catch the whale sharks' food.

The pangulong has a fleet of three vessels, with super lights and fine mesh nets, and a carrier. It sometimes uses a sonar boat to conceal its location while looking for a fishing spot. "If the coastal area and the feeding ground of the butandings will be destroyed because of the pangulong operations, the whale sharks will be affected," said Jun Narvadez of Tanggol Kalikasan, which helped organize the TFSK-BK and provides training and legal assistance.

"Pangulong operations started many years ago in Donsol because of the richness of waters in different kinds of fish," according to Manrique. There are about 15 pangulong fleets currently operating in Donsol, allegedly with protection from ranking police officials in the region, the Inquirer learned. "Pity the small fishermen because their means of living is affected. These vessels sometimes fire guns at them or hit them with their bigger vessels and they end up going home without a catch," he said. Manrique said illegal fishers are armed and the police are not helping the residents drive away the illegal fishermen. "Sadly, we have the PNP in our composite team but they seem to abandon us when we ask for assistance," Manrique said. He revealed that they requested assistance from the municipal police on Sept. 6 but were told that a unit from the region will help them instead.

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