SEA FREAK CHRONICLE: YES TO WHALE SHARK FEEDING

By Arnel Mirasol

Men have been feeding animals for centuries. Cattle, pigs, goats, chickens, fishes- and now, even crocodiles and ostriches- are fatten for slaughter. I don't condemn that practice, at this point, because I still eat meat. But many animal welfare advocates and vegetarians do. They see it as cruelty to animals. Animals in circuses, zoos, and oceanariums are also fed- a practice likewise condemned by animal welfare advocates, who argue that it is also cruelty because the animals are confined in cages, pens, and glass tanks for life .

Months ago, I saw on Jessica Soho's television show, a feature on the African wild animals in Calauit Island in Palawan (below right), who are fed daily by caretakers, for them to flourish and perhaps multiply, so that tourists would have reason to visit Calauit again and again. Now, that's the same exact reason why the fishermen of Barangay Tan-awan, Oslob, Cebu are feeding the whale sharks.That's what confuses me. Why do the environmentalists and biologists condemn whale shark feeding in Tan-awan on one hand and condone the feeding of zebras and giraffes in Calauit on the other? Feeding is always a benevolent act if the one giving food doesn't intend to slaughter later on the animal being fed.

Caretaker feeding a giraffe at Calauit Island, palawan

Fisherman feeding a whaleshark at Oslob, Cebu

Environmentalists and biologists state several reasons why they are against whale shark feeding. They argued that this might alter the whale sharks' future behavior. They fear that the whale sharks might become too dependent on the uyap (baby shrimps) being doled out to them by the fishermen, and that they could become aggressive later on. But they are all conjectures, because the biologists themselves admit that no study had yet been made on the behavior of hand-fed whale sharks. Food is food. Everyone is dependent on it. It doesn't matter much to whale sharks, I guess, whether they are doled out or searched for. They would get it where they can get it. What's important to them is their availability, which the fishermen I'm sure are willing to guarantee indefinitely. Besides, even if the feeding of whale sharks stopped, it won't be difficult for them to revert to their ancient way of foraging, because catching baby shrimps, planktons, and other sea nutrients doesn't really require well-honed hunting skills.

With regards to the fear that the whale sharks would develop aggressive attitudes, well, I don't see any reason why they should when there is plenty of food to go around. They will only fight one another for food when food is scarce. But then again, I don't think that would happen, because whale sharks are inherently docile, and would, I'm sure, just search farther for food.

Environmentalists and biologists also compare the scenario at Tana-awan to a zoo, circus, or oceanarium. Well, that analogy is wrong - if not downright stupid. They seem to have forgotten that animals in zoos, circuses, and oceanariums are captives, while the whalesharks in Tan-awan are not. No pens, cages, or glass tanks hinder their mobility. They can move out of the area anytime they want- and "gallivant" in the sea between Cebu, Negros, Bohol, Siquijor, Camiguin, and Leyte, or even farther, if they feel like it. The whaleshark watching time is also limited up to noontime only to allow the whalesharks who stay in the area to be by themselves, and escape the attention of awestruck tourists until the next morning.

What should really be frowned upon is the touching of whale sharks (right), an act so strictly prohibited that the town saw it fit to promulgate an ordinance imposing stiff fines or imprisonment on violators. To ensure compliance, several bantay-dagats - sea watchmen - in scuba patrol the waters in the whale shark watching area (below right). The using of sunblock lotions is also prohibited because the substance might change the chemistry of the sea: and also the use of flash in cameras, because they might startle the whale sharks.

As I've written before, Oslob's low-profile days are over. Ever since the whale sharks chose the waters of the town as their R and R (rest and recreation) destination, hordes of local and foreign tourists continue to descend on Barangay Tan-awan to savor its underwater sights. Oriental and European tourists, and even local showbiz celebritites, are also already a common sight in Tan-awan, and in Oslob's Poblacion (bottom picture) where the market and commercial establishments are. And that is a good thing. The people of Oslob, especially the fisherfolk, never had it this good. Now, they are given the chance to dream big and aspire for the better things in life. The fishermen can now afford to send their children to college, and perhaps build better houses for themselves, and eat better food. Denying them the means to earn more would cancel all that. This may sound melodramatic, but to me, that is cruelty to poor people.