Activities with "butandings" or whale sharks in the Province of Bohol are ordered stopped by the Provincial Government.

Governor Erico Aristotle Aumentado issued an executive order on February 3, 2025 that puts on hold activities with whale sharks in the province because of reported questionable practices.

In his Executive Order (EO) Number 10, Aumentado ordered the “immediate cessation of whale shark interactive activities in Bohol.”

The EO cited that the stoppage is due to whale shark feeding seen to be detrimental both to wildlife and to the environment.

“Kay wa sila mocomply sa atong gipagawas nga ordinansa nga ‘no feeding’ posible daghan manundog ug magfeeding-feeding. Unsay mahitabo sa atong tourism area, like sa Panglao, mostly maoy gianha sa mga turista ang kaanindot sa kadagatan, kung manimaho na unsa’y mahitabo macomprise atong turismo sa Bohol,” Aumentado said.

He clarified that operators may resume tourism-related activities with whale shars  as soon as requirements are complied with, based on a provincial ordinance.

"Kung naay makacomply sa requirements, why not, basta no feeding. Basta kana imong lugar dili protected area dili makalapas og national law ug ordinances, walay problema,” Aumentado added.

The Bohol Provincial Government has vowed to provide livelihood assistance to workers who are set to lose their jobs during the halt.

The EO has affected the Municipalities of Lila, Alburquerque, and Dauis.

(via Leo Udtohan, Mark Regie Abella/GMA Regional TV Balitang Bisdak)