Hello My Dear Great Ones,
Celia and I went on a day trip from Siquijor, over Christmas, to Oslob, Cebu to swim with some Whale Sharks. It was an amazing experience. Whale Sharks are astounding. Here are some wikipedia facts:
The whale shark (Rhincodon typus) is a slow-moving, filter-feeding carpet shark and the largest known extant fish species. The largest confirmed individual had a length of 12.65 m (41.5 ft) and a weight of about 21.5 t (47,000 lb).[8] The whale shark holds many records for size in the animal kingdom, most notably being by far the largest living nonmammalian vertebrate. The whale shark is found in open waters of the tropical oceans and is rarely found in the water below 21 °C (70 °F).[2] Modeling suggests a lifespan of about 70 years, but measurements have proven difficult.[9] Whale sharks have very large mouths and are filter feeders, which is a feeding mode that occurs in only two other sharks, themegamouth shark and the basking shark. They feed almost exclusively on planktonand small fishes, and pose no threat to humans.
The Oslob site is controversial because the Whale Sharks are fed continually all day by guys in boats. It would be like feeding wild bears and making it a tourist attraction while feeding them. Still it was a privilege to swim with the Whale Sharks and the fact it is helping an impoverished region of the Philippines is an important point.
Now here is a little blurb from Oslob:
The whale shark (Rhincodon typus) is a slow-moving, filter-feeding carpet shark and the largest known extant fish species. The largest confirmed individual had a length of 12.65 m (41.5 ft) and a weight of about 21.5 t (47,000 lb).[8] The whale shark holds many records for size in the animal kingdom, most notably being by far the largest living nonmammalian vertebrate. The whale shark is found in open waters of the tropical oceans and is rarely found in the water below 21 °C (70 °F).[2] Modeling suggests a lifespan of about 70 years, but measurements have proven difficult.[9] Whale sharks have very large mouths and are filter feeders, which is a feeding mode that occurs in only two other sharks, themegamouth shark and the basking shark. They feed almost exclusively on planktonand small fishes, and pose no threat to humans.
The Oslob site is controversial because the Whale Sharks are fed continually all day by guys in boats. It would be like feeding wild bears and making it a tourist attraction while feeding them. Still it was a privilege to swim with the Whale Sharks and the fact it is helping an impoverished region of the Philippines is an important point.
Now here is a little blurb from Oslob:
Undoubtedly, one of the most popular — talking about worldwide recognition — tourist attractions in Cebu is the Whale Shark Watching or Swimming with the Whale Sharks in Oslob, Southern Cebu. And here’s everything you need to know about this famous yet controversial spot in Cebu.
1The activity site is situated in Brgy. Tan-awan in the town of Oslob, a remote part of Cebu that is 3-4 hours away from the city or 4-5 hours drive from Mactan Airport.
2Diving and snorkeling are limited in time and people, and done by batch. Each batch has 30 minutes to watch or swim with the whale sharks. Prior to that, there is an informative talk and presentation about the Whale Sharks and STRICT RULES to be observed during the activity.
3All the Whale Sharks at the Oslob Whale Shark Snorkel tour are wild animals and come and go as they please. The floats you see on the surface are merely marking the area for motorized boats to stay away.
4All the boats used in the activity, at the feeding area, are paddled using wooden oars — leaving no harmful chemicals unlike boat propellers.
5There are marine biologists in the area monitoring the water activity. Images are taken each day in water and using astrological mapping – map the whale shark spots.
6The Whale Shark Watching tour provides many benefits including, but not limited to, providing a larger source of income and employment to a town that historically has a high unemployment rate and also a knock-on effect for the entire economy of Cebu. It encourages the local and foreign visitors alike to advocate in the preservation of the Whale Sharks and minimizes the fishing of these gentle giants in many countries.
Have a great week!
Love adios and ping on!
Dirk
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