20 whale sharks spotted off Camarines Sur waters

Some fishermen spotted around 20 whale sharks or butanding in the waters off Del Gallego, Camarines Sur, GMA Regional TV Cagayan de Oro’s Zyril Chaves reported on Unang Balita on Tuesday.

A video provided by the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) Region V to GMA Regional TV Balitang Bicolandia showed the whale sharks swimming near a boat.

BFAR V spokesperson Nonie Enolva said it is normal to see whale sharks from November to July because of the abundant supply of planktons which served as their food.

She said whale sharks also have philopatry or the tendency to stay in or habitually return to a particular area.

While the whale sharks are harmless to humans, Enolva warned the public not to swim near them nor touch them.

“Do not swim very near the sharks.... at least five to six meters iyong layo nila doon sa whale sharks mismo kasi baka matamaan sila ng buntot... Huwag hahawakan din at the same time medyo rough iyong kanilang skin,” she said.

(“Do not swim very near the sharks.... at least five to six meters away from the whale sharks because they might be hit by their tail. Don’t touch them too because their skin is rough.)

On Friday, at least five whale sharks were also spotted in Ragay Gulf in Del Gallego.

The BFAR is monitoring the whale sharks to ensure that they would not enter fish pens in the area.—Joviland Rita/AOL, GMA Integrated News