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The Philippine 'Butanding' ("''big fish''" in the Filipino dialect) is a whale shark, or ''Rhincodon typus''. It ia a rare marine specie, a slow filter feeding shark that is the largest living fish species, reaching lengths from 18 to 35 feet in length or 13-14 meters and weighs about 20 tons. When it has a length of 4.5 meters, the weight is about 750 kg.[1]
The Butanding inhabits the world's tropical and warm-temperate oceans. Even though considered as primarily pelagic, seasonal feeding aggregations of the sharks occur at several coastal sites such as Donsol, Batangas and Palawan in the Philippines. The highest concentration of whale sharks to be found anywhere in the world is in the Philippines. From January to May, they congregate in the shallow coastal waters of Sorsogon province (at Donsol), and they were found in the waters around Bohol island and some parts of the Visayas and Northern Mindanao.[2]
Before 1997, the world’s most popular whale shark tour was in Ningaloo Reef, West Australia, where tourists would hire light spotter plane ($350 to $500 or P16,650 to P23,790 per person), but whale shark sightings were not guaranteed. In 1998, World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), a global conservation group, established community-based ecotourism by facilitating fund-sourcing.
'Donsol' is a 3rd class municipality in the province of Sorsogon, Philippines. Donsol is a popular tourist destination for the Butanding that can be seen in the bordering seas. It is nicknamed the "''Whale Shark Capital of the World''", with the largest number of recorded sightings of whale sharks anywhere in the world. It serves as a sanctuary to a group of 40 whale sharks. Swimming with whale sharks was featured as the "''Best Animal Encounter in Asia''" by Time Magazine in 2004. Whale sharks can be seen all-year round except during typhoons, with presence peaking between February and May. In recent years the number of male sharks have out-numbered female sharks by 20:1. The females that are seen, are generally large mature adults in the 7m ~ 9m range. In 2006 five sharks were found dead on the surface, within 30 miles of Donsol. They had all been shot at close range. One shark had 13 bullet wounds to the head.
Early sightings of the butandings were reported in Bohol, Visayas and in Pioduran in Albay. Massive slaughtering caused their migration to Donsol waters. Scientists are still perflexed with the large migration of whale sharks in Donsol in 1997. These rare fishes are known to prefer the cold waters, not the tropical seas of the Philippines. One reason would be the flourishing of planktons at Donsol (organisms that fill their diet). In 2005 the World Wildlife Fund reported that Donsol contributed at least P35 million to the economy during the whale shark season from February to May.[2][4]
Butanding can also be seen at Pilar, Castilla and Magallanes, towms of Sorsogon.
[5]
Butandings are so gentle and docile enough for one to swim saftely among them. The Butanding swim along side the boat all the time. Even though Butandings are spotted year-round in Poso, Donsol, the season starts from November to May. The peak season is February through April. On peak season, each visitor can see more than a dozen different Butanding.[6]
'Batangas' is a province of the Philippines located on the southwestern part of Luzon in the CALABARZON region.
It is also home to dolphins and once in a while, a passage of the world's biggest fish the whale shark or the 'butanding', as the locals call it.
San Juan, Batangas had whaleshark sightings since 2000, starting in February until November. San Juan is part of the Sulu-Sulawesi seascape including the waters of Batangas itself and Mindoro. Between Batangas and Mindoro is a liberty passage of Isla Verde which houses 51 percent of the world’s coral reef species.[7]
'Palawan' is an island province of the Philippines located in the Western Visayas Region.
On the 2nd week of August, 2007, in the waters of Puerto Bay, award-winning wildlife photographer Duncan Murrell, sighted a gentle whale shark twice the length of their boat, or about 6 meters long, which was herding the smaller fish, as if working in conspiracy with the tuna. Sightings of the rare Butanding (Rhincodon typus) around Puerto Princesa City outside the bay have increased in frequency over the last 5 years. While Donsol's whale shark tours are between the months of February and May, Palawan Butanding had been sighted in Puerto Bay between June and September, being migratory species, may have come from Sorsogon looking for calm waters teeming with plankton, krill and small sardines as their diet. Murrell, who won coveted prizes, including the prestigious BBC Wildlife Photographer of the Year, stated that the gentle giants show up in pods (social group of whales) of three or four. The whale shark is called “''butanding''” in Filipino, but Cuyuno fishermen of Palawan called it “''tiki-tiki'',” due to its resemblance in body form to a gecko.[8]
In the 1990's, Butanding were slaughtered in alarming rates off Pamilacan Island, Bohol, and in Donsol itself. On March 25, 1998, the Philippine Department of Agriculture issued Fisheries Administrative Order 193, which bans the capture, sale, purchase, possession, transport or export of whale sharks. As a result, nationwide, butanding sightings did rise, due to environmental stewards like WWF, Haribon and Conservation International.
Since August 16, 2006, tourists and natives witnessed sightings of 9 Butandings 10 to 12 feet long, along Albay Gulf particularly in the coastal waters of Barangays Bigaa and Rawis, Legaspi City, Albay. Jory Los Banos of the Bicol Divers Foundation Inc., stated that fishermen sighted the presence of the Butandings, apparently looking for planktons which according to fishermen are abundant in the Albay Gulf.[9]
From January to February 2007, a 10-foot long juvenile butanding frequented the PNOC Pier in Mabini, Batangas—in full view of bystanders. In February, 2007, a native fisherman from Calapan, Mindoro, accidentally reeled in a pair, and while one swam off, the other, a 26-foot long female, had to be released manually. 3 made an appearance on March, 2007 in Sablayan, Occidental Mindoro. They were christened “''Dugoy'',” the Mangyan term for friend. One was seen off Palawan’s Honda Bay with babies in tow.
Dr. Filemon Romero, WWF consultant of Tawi-Tawi noted that Badjaos often see butanding in the Secorong Panaytayan Reef between Semporna and Sitangkai and in the Turtle Islands, where they are called ‘''kaytan tokke''.’”[10]
Butanding in the waters of Lagonoy Gulf, Sangay, Camarines Sur had been as common as the anchovies seen in the months of September to February. Lagonoy Gulf is the 2nd largest body of water in the Philippines, on the eastern portion of Camarines Sur, stretching down south to Albay and northeast to the island-province of Catanduanes, covering an area of 3,071 square kilometers.[11]
The re-appearance of whale shark in Lamon Bay Area of Atimonan, Quezon demonstrated the renewed vibrancy of marine lives. Whale sharks were common in Lamon Bay during 1980’s but disappeared because of slaughter of their meat by irresponsible fishermen.[12]
Dinalungan, Aurora's municipal waters which is part of Baler Bay, is home to rare marine species, such as dugong (sea cow), butanding (whale shark) and sea turtles. Recent sightings and comeback of the butanding are due to the ecotourism and conservations by the Philippine Environmental Governance (EcoGov) Project, funded by USAID.[13]
Considered as a delicacy and an aphrodisiac, whale sharks had been regularly sold to Taiwanese fishing firms and Hong Kong restaurant owners. A fully grown (30 years old) whale shark is worth as much as P400,000, and the meat sells for HK$500 or P1,700 per kilo. Its fins are used for soup.[14]Buyers are not so much tempted by the soft butanding meat, which has a consistency similar to tasteless tofu and melts into oil, rather, whale shark meat is used as an ingredient for perfume and scented candles by Taiwanese or Chinese traders.[15]
★ List of sharks
1. The Philipines, The Whale Shark
2. Butanding.com, Philippines Travel: Gentle Giants of Donsol, Sorsogon
3. Butanding.com, Philippines Travel: Gentle Giants of Donsol, Sorsogon
4. Manila Times, Whale sharks spotted in Bigaa; new potential tourist spot seen
5. Sorsogontourism, Swimming with the gentle Butanding
6. Albay Tourism, Whale Sharks Interaction
7. Manila Times, ‘Butanding’ sightings as new tourist attraction
8. Inquirer.net, Palawan, too, is home to whale sharks
9. PIA, Mt. Mayon viewers get bonus from presence of whale sharks in Albay Gulf
10. Inquirer.net, Butanding ‘God’s gift to Donsol’
11. Inquirer.net, ‘We’re not going to let another ‘butanding’ die’
12. Atimonan.gov.ph, ‘Butanding’ & Fish Sanctuary
13. Dinalugan, Aurora
14. Textmania.com, Butanding
15. PCIJ, Saving Sorsogon
★ YouTube, Butanding Encounter
★ YouTube, Butanding close look
★ Philippine Ecotours
★ Reporting a whale shark sighting
★ How to photograph a whale shark for mark-recapture research
★ TimeAsia.com: Best of Asia, Best Animal Encounter
| Contents |
| Philippine Distribution and Habitat |
| Donsol |
| Batangas |
| Palawan |
| Nationwide |
| See also |
| References |
| External links |
Philippine Distribution and Habitat
The Butanding inhabits the world's tropical and warm-temperate oceans. Even though considered as primarily pelagic, seasonal feeding aggregations of the sharks occur at several coastal sites such as Donsol, Batangas and Palawan in the Philippines. The highest concentration of whale sharks to be found anywhere in the world is in the Philippines. From January to May, they congregate in the shallow coastal waters of Sorsogon province (at Donsol), and they were found in the waters around Bohol island and some parts of the Visayas and Northern Mindanao.[2]
Donsol
Before 1997, the world’s most popular whale shark tour was in Ningaloo Reef, West Australia, where tourists would hire light spotter plane ($350 to $500 or P16,650 to P23,790 per person), but whale shark sightings were not guaranteed. In 1998, World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), a global conservation group, established community-based ecotourism by facilitating fund-sourcing.
'Donsol' is a 3rd class municipality in the province of Sorsogon, Philippines. Donsol is a popular tourist destination for the Butanding that can be seen in the bordering seas. It is nicknamed the "''Whale Shark Capital of the World''", with the largest number of recorded sightings of whale sharks anywhere in the world. It serves as a sanctuary to a group of 40 whale sharks. Swimming with whale sharks was featured as the "''Best Animal Encounter in Asia''" by Time Magazine in 2004. Whale sharks can be seen all-year round except during typhoons, with presence peaking between February and May. In recent years the number of male sharks have out-numbered female sharks by 20:1. The females that are seen, are generally large mature adults in the 7m ~ 9m range. In 2006 five sharks were found dead on the surface, within 30 miles of Donsol. They had all been shot at close range. One shark had 13 bullet wounds to the head.
Early sightings of the butandings were reported in Bohol, Visayas and in Pioduran in Albay. Massive slaughtering caused their migration to Donsol waters. Scientists are still perflexed with the large migration of whale sharks in Donsol in 1997. These rare fishes are known to prefer the cold waters, not the tropical seas of the Philippines. One reason would be the flourishing of planktons at Donsol (organisms that fill their diet). In 2005 the World Wildlife Fund reported that Donsol contributed at least P35 million to the economy during the whale shark season from February to May.[2][4]
Butanding can also be seen at Pilar, Castilla and Magallanes, towms of Sorsogon.
[5]
Butandings are so gentle and docile enough for one to swim saftely among them. The Butanding swim along side the boat all the time. Even though Butandings are spotted year-round in Poso, Donsol, the season starts from November to May. The peak season is February through April. On peak season, each visitor can see more than a dozen different Butanding.[6]
Batangas
'Batangas' is a province of the Philippines located on the southwestern part of Luzon in the CALABARZON region.
It is also home to dolphins and once in a while, a passage of the world's biggest fish the whale shark or the 'butanding', as the locals call it.
San Juan, Batangas had whaleshark sightings since 2000, starting in February until November. San Juan is part of the Sulu-Sulawesi seascape including the waters of Batangas itself and Mindoro. Between Batangas and Mindoro is a liberty passage of Isla Verde which houses 51 percent of the world’s coral reef species.[7]
Palawan
'Palawan' is an island province of the Philippines located in the Western Visayas Region.
On the 2nd week of August, 2007, in the waters of Puerto Bay, award-winning wildlife photographer Duncan Murrell, sighted a gentle whale shark twice the length of their boat, or about 6 meters long, which was herding the smaller fish, as if working in conspiracy with the tuna. Sightings of the rare Butanding (Rhincodon typus) around Puerto Princesa City outside the bay have increased in frequency over the last 5 years. While Donsol's whale shark tours are between the months of February and May, Palawan Butanding had been sighted in Puerto Bay between June and September, being migratory species, may have come from Sorsogon looking for calm waters teeming with plankton, krill and small sardines as their diet. Murrell, who won coveted prizes, including the prestigious BBC Wildlife Photographer of the Year, stated that the gentle giants show up in pods (social group of whales) of three or four. The whale shark is called “''butanding''” in Filipino, but Cuyuno fishermen of Palawan called it “''tiki-tiki'',” due to its resemblance in body form to a gecko.[8]
Nationwide
In the 1990's, Butanding were slaughtered in alarming rates off Pamilacan Island, Bohol, and in Donsol itself. On March 25, 1998, the Philippine Department of Agriculture issued Fisheries Administrative Order 193, which bans the capture, sale, purchase, possession, transport or export of whale sharks. As a result, nationwide, butanding sightings did rise, due to environmental stewards like WWF, Haribon and Conservation International.
Since August 16, 2006, tourists and natives witnessed sightings of 9 Butandings 10 to 12 feet long, along Albay Gulf particularly in the coastal waters of Barangays Bigaa and Rawis, Legaspi City, Albay. Jory Los Banos of the Bicol Divers Foundation Inc., stated that fishermen sighted the presence of the Butandings, apparently looking for planktons which according to fishermen are abundant in the Albay Gulf.[9]
From January to February 2007, a 10-foot long juvenile butanding frequented the PNOC Pier in Mabini, Batangas—in full view of bystanders. In February, 2007, a native fisherman from Calapan, Mindoro, accidentally reeled in a pair, and while one swam off, the other, a 26-foot long female, had to be released manually. 3 made an appearance on March, 2007 in Sablayan, Occidental Mindoro. They were christened “''Dugoy'',” the Mangyan term for friend. One was seen off Palawan’s Honda Bay with babies in tow.
Dr. Filemon Romero, WWF consultant of Tawi-Tawi noted that Badjaos often see butanding in the Secorong Panaytayan Reef between Semporna and Sitangkai and in the Turtle Islands, where they are called ‘''kaytan tokke''.’”[10]
Butanding in the waters of Lagonoy Gulf, Sangay, Camarines Sur had been as common as the anchovies seen in the months of September to February. Lagonoy Gulf is the 2nd largest body of water in the Philippines, on the eastern portion of Camarines Sur, stretching down south to Albay and northeast to the island-province of Catanduanes, covering an area of 3,071 square kilometers.[11]
The re-appearance of whale shark in Lamon Bay Area of Atimonan, Quezon demonstrated the renewed vibrancy of marine lives. Whale sharks were common in Lamon Bay during 1980’s but disappeared because of slaughter of their meat by irresponsible fishermen.[12]
Dinalungan, Aurora's municipal waters which is part of Baler Bay, is home to rare marine species, such as dugong (sea cow), butanding (whale shark) and sea turtles. Recent sightings and comeback of the butanding are due to the ecotourism and conservations by the Philippine Environmental Governance (EcoGov) Project, funded by USAID.[13]
Considered as a delicacy and an aphrodisiac, whale sharks had been regularly sold to Taiwanese fishing firms and Hong Kong restaurant owners. A fully grown (30 years old) whale shark is worth as much as P400,000, and the meat sells for HK$500 or P1,700 per kilo. Its fins are used for soup.[14]Buyers are not so much tempted by the soft butanding meat, which has a consistency similar to tasteless tofu and melts into oil, rather, whale shark meat is used as an ingredient for perfume and scented candles by Taiwanese or Chinese traders.[15]
See also
★ List of sharks
References
1. The Philipines, The Whale Shark
2. Butanding.com, Philippines Travel: Gentle Giants of Donsol, Sorsogon
3. Butanding.com, Philippines Travel: Gentle Giants of Donsol, Sorsogon
4. Manila Times, Whale sharks spotted in Bigaa; new potential tourist spot seen
5. Sorsogontourism, Swimming with the gentle Butanding
6. Albay Tourism, Whale Sharks Interaction
7. Manila Times, ‘Butanding’ sightings as new tourist attraction
8. Inquirer.net, Palawan, too, is home to whale sharks
9. PIA, Mt. Mayon viewers get bonus from presence of whale sharks in Albay Gulf
10. Inquirer.net, Butanding ‘God’s gift to Donsol’
11. Inquirer.net, ‘We’re not going to let another ‘butanding’ die’
12. Atimonan.gov.ph, ‘Butanding’ & Fish Sanctuary
13. Dinalugan, Aurora
14. Textmania.com, Butanding
15. PCIJ, Saving Sorsogon
External links
★ YouTube, Butanding Encounter
★ YouTube, Butanding close look
★ Philippine Ecotours
★ Reporting a whale shark sighting
★ How to photograph a whale shark for mark-recapture research
★ TimeAsia.com: Best of Asia, Best Animal Encounter
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