NGO Proposes Shark Summit in Cebu

Sharks may be feared by many, but environmental advocates are now pushing for their protection as their dwindling number will eventually hurt the food chain, Greenpeace Southeast Asia said.

“Sharks are also important, being apex predators. If the sharks are in crisis, the fish will also be in crisis. Not to mention the tourism aspect,” said Vince Cinches, ocean defender of Greenpeace Southeast Asia.

Greenpeace, together with other non-government organizations, hotel operators and other stakeholders, have proposed to the Cebu provincial government to hold a shark summit next month.

Cinches said they chose Cebu being the “leading” local government in terms of apprehending violators of environmental laws.

He, however, said Cebu is also home to sharks which are threatened by the growing industry of tempura and fishballs. Last month, Capitol’s environmental task force had intercepted a cargo of Thresher shark meat on its way to a tempura plant in Lapu-Lapu City.

Cinches appealed to tempura and fishball makers to stop using sharks as their raw materials, as there are other meat products that are better substitute from sharks.

Meanwhile, Cinches said in the past years, Government agencies “strongly resisted” to their plan to hold a shark summit, but today they are reportedly in the front line of this planned event.

“Philippine seas are in crisis. This is our good contribution to marine conservation,” he said.

This summit, scheduled on August 14 and 15 (with the Shark Week: Aug. 10-16), also aims for crafting a national policy on sharks for their protection.

Cinches said they are also hoping to have at least one shark sanctuary in the country similar to Australia and Indonesia’s.

For his part, Gov Hilario Davide III said he supports the summit, and even suggested that other marine resources be included.

“Not just sharks. But other marine resources like shells…and fish. Usahon nalang tingali,” he said.

As to Greenpeace’s positive comment on Capitol’s serious campaign against environmental offenders, Davide said they are just observing the law.

“Usa sa atong priority is protection sa environment,” Davide said.