Tubbataha cameras capture hammerhead shark in park waters

A scalloped hammerhead shark was filmed this week in the waters of Tubbataha Reef, a major biodiversity site in the country and a World Heritage site.

The Tubbataha Management Office said its remote underwater video equipment filmed the shark off Wall Street at the North Atoll.

"Interestingly, the presence of the scalloped hammerhead shark in Tubbataha was previously unconfirmed. The video proves without a doubt that this species thrives in park waters as well," it said.



According to the Tubbataha Management Office, park rangers and LAMAVE project director Ryan Murray installed the RUV on March 16.

It said the baited RUV was left at a depth of 30 feet for close to two hours.

"In that short period of time, captured images of 19 individual sharks.  Seven blacktip, seven white tip, four gray reef and one scalloped hammerhead shark were filmed during the period," it said.

LAMAVE is a consortium of national and international NGOs.

It is working with the Tubbataha Management Office to promote conservation through scientific research and education.

A shark expedition is in the offing in May 2015, the TMO said. — Joel Locsin/LBG, GMA News