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MANILA, Philippines – Whale shark watching, a popular attraction in the province of Bohol, is now suspended after authorities expressed concern about the “harmful effects” of the activity to local biodiversity. 

On Monday, Governor Erico Aristotle Aumentado signed executive order No. 10 suspending whale shark watching in the towns of  Lila, Alburquerque, and Dauis that took effect on Monday, February 3. 

In January, local advocates composed of environmentalists, resort owners and dive operators among many others, reached out to concerned local and national authorities to investigate the whale watching activity prominently happening in the aforementioned towns. 

The order was issued after an inter-agency team found out that whale-shark watching activities involve baiting the fish with krill, a small shrimp-like animal.

According to the team’s report, throwing krill into the water’s surface causes foul smell, possibly affecting marine life particularly in popular tourist destinations Balicasag and Panglao. 

The activity is said to be a violation of Provincial Ordinance No. 2020-008 and Joint Memorandum Circular No. 1 Series of 2020.

The Provincial Tourism Council of Bohol also found out that whale shark watching operators lacked necessary permits from concerned government agencies such as the Department of Environment and Natural Resources as well as the Bureau of Internal Revenue. 

On Tuesday, Aumentado said on Facebook that the local government had already made preparations for the closure of the activity in the province to make sure the executive order is implemented. 

“Ang atong Whale Shark Task Force magpahigayon og site visit sa mga hingtungdang mga dapit aron ipahigayon ang seremonya sa pagpahimutang sa closure order,” Aumentado said. 

(Our Whale Shark Task Force will conduct a site visit to the relevant areas to conduct the ceremony of setting the closure order.)

Whale shark watching interaction in the province will only be resumed once regulatory requirements are met.