Fish stranding was spotted in Barangay San Roque and in Poblacion, Ginatilan town, southern Cebu Province, while a growing number of baby sharks was sighted near the shoreline of Barangay Pasil, Santander, two towns away from Ginatilan.

In a video uploaded by netizen Floramie Dacillo, small varieties of Sardinella such as “tuloy-tamban” and “malangsi” were seen at the shoreline of Ginatilan on February 13, 2024 past 6 p.m.

The fish stranding, according to Dacillo, repeated at about the same time on February 14, 2024. She added that because of the quantity, they were able to give away pails of fish to families and friends especially those living in the upland area.

The residents tried checking the shoreline again at around 6 p.m. on February 15, 2024 but no stranding occurred.

Dacillo could not help from thinking about omens.

“Makaingon ko nga blessing pero naa gihapon ang kahadlok ba kay kini mga istorya sa mga tawo nga naa daw bad sign pero di lang pud tawn, Ginoo na lang tawn mag-igo,” Dacillo said.

According to Wilma Laspoña, Ginatilan municipal agriculturist, that based on a training she had in Japan, one of the possible reasons for fish stranding, or beaching, is global warming.

The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Central Visayas also pointed out that the large quantities of a variety of fish could be a result of the closed fishing season implemented since November 2023.

For three months, commercial fishing in the protected seascapes in the Visayas such as the Visayan Sea, has been banned.

BFAR 7 Director Mario Ruinata, officer in-charge, said that the fishes are safe for consumption and should not be a source of worry.

In science, animal behavior is being studied continually as certain movements, such as mass migration, indicate impending weather disturbances, climate issues, or natural calamities.

Tribal wisdom also associates certain animal behavior as signs to looming catastrophe.

Meanwhile, the growing number of baby sharks spotted at the shoreline of Barangay Pasil, Santander is reportedly connected with the beaching of small fishes. The sharks take the opportunity to a feeding frenzy.  

The husband of netizen Junette Oniong captured a video on February 11, 2024 of an herd of baby sharks.

While the presence of baby sharks in the shallow waters of Barangay Pasil is already a normal thiing in the area, it was noticed that these animals have stayed reportedly for days in the same spot.

Ruinata warns this time the public to put off any tourism-related activities involving these baby sharks as the species and their behavior have to be studied thoroughly.

He said that whale sharks or "butanding" in Oslob pose no threat to human activities out at sea, unlike sharks that can go aggressive.