Landmark ordinance
in Cebu sets to establish the country’s first shark and ray sanctuary
Press Release
July 3, 2015
CEBU CITY – Almost a
year after Cebu hosted the first Philippine Shark Summit, the province
strengthened its commitment to protect shark and ray species by
establishing the country’s first shark and ray sanctuary, located
close to Malapascua Island, in the Municipality of Daanbantayan.
Through Executive Order
16-2015 Engineer Augusto Corro, the Municipal Mayor of Daanbantayan,
has designated the world-renowned dive sites of Monad Shoal and Gato
Island as a shark and ray sanctuary, prohibiting the catching and
trading of all shark and ray species within these waters. Rare
species, such as thresher sharks, whitetip sharks, manta rays, and
devil rays, can be found in these areas.
“Our landmark decision to
create the country’s first shark and ray sanctuary will ensure the
protection and conservation of sharks and rays which are threatened to
extinction due to overfishing and the general lack of awareness on the
importance of these highly endangered species,” said Mayor Corro.
“Hosting the shark and ray sanctuary is also one of the best ways in
which our local community can give back to these creatures for
bringing-in tourism revenues which boosts their livelihood.”
The new EO was welcomed by
environmentalists, marine conservationists, tourism executives, and
local government agencies that gathered at the Cebu Provincial Capitol
for a three-day forum on strengthening and implementing the province’s
shark and ray ordinance.
“For a country blessed with
unique marine biodiversity, it is high time that we establish a shark
and ray sanctuary. We are pleased that Cebu is continuing its great
work on shark and ray conservation by establishing sanctuaries that
ensure the sustainability of these critical species,” said Vince
Cinches, Oceans Campaigner for Greenpeace Philippines. “We urge our
national lawmakers to take the cue from Cebu and make similar moves to
turn the rest of our national waters into a haven for all shark and
ray species.”
Studies conducted by the
Thresher Shark Research and Conservation Project estimates that
approximately 80% of the municipal economy of Daanbantayan is fueled
by scuba diving, providing employment and supporting livelihoods of
local communities and its neighboring municipalities.
Atty. Chad Estella, head of
Cebu’s Anti-Illegal Fishing Task Force, added that the declaration of
the shark and ray sanctuary demonstrates how the provincial ordinance
is also good for local communities. “One of the action points we’ve
come up is to launch OplanPalwis to further strengthen Cebu’s existing
ordinance that protects sharks and rays, incorporating science and
using the updated and revolutionary Philippine Fisheries Code. This is
to ensure that the country’s first shark and ray sanctuary will be
effective especially in reversing fish decline due to decades of
overfishing,” said Estella.”
Dennis Bryan Bait-it, the
coordinator of Daanbantayan’s Bantay Dagat MigosaIho said, “Protecting
sharks and rays is not only economically beneficial to local
fisherfolk, but also to our marine ecosystems. Many shark species are
indicators of a healthy marine ecosystem. This ensures fish are
spawning and thriving so there would be more fish to catch by the
local fishermen.”
Anna Oposa, co-founder of
Save Philippine Seas said, “The declaration of the shark and ray
sanctuary sends a powerful message to the rest of the country and the
world –that with political will, we can protect and restore the health
of our seas.”