A juvenile whale shark that became stranded along the coast of San Fabian, Pangasinan was safely returned to the sea after fishermen and residents worked together to rescue the marine animal.

A video shared by a netizen showed the whale shark stranded on the shoreline of Barangay Sobol at around 10 a.m. on Wednesday, July 22, 2026.

Pinlac Villanueva Mayvel, a fisherman, said the whale shark appeared to have become trapped in a fishing net before it drifted closer to shore.

"May nasa loob ng net kaya lumapit ako. Pilit nilang nilalabas kaso ayaw talagang lumabas, lalong lumalabas sa pampang. Pero nang tumagal na rin, nahila rin palayo," he said.

Residents and fishermen joined forces to guide the juvenile whale shark away from the beach until it safely returned to deeper waters.

Mayvel said whale sharks have been spotted in the area before, but this was the first time one had come so close to the shoreline.

He added that sightings of the gentle giants always draw the attention of residents and beachgoers.

"Sobra. Pagka may nakitang whale shark, dinudumog ng mga tao kasi nga sa sobrang laki tapos rare siya. Tuwang-tuwa 'yung mga naliligo sa dagat," he said.

The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) reminded the public to immediately report stranded or distressed whale sharks to authorities to ensure they are safely and properly returned to their natural habitat.