The 4th Shark Conservation Week observed from 27 February to 4 March 2023 highlighted calls for clear government policies on shark conservation in the country.
A fluvial parade opened the celebration, which was organized by Save Sharks Network Philippines and the Philippine Dragon Boat Team to raise awareness on the plight of shark and ray species in the Philippines. The week-long celebration aimed to strengthen the conservation of sharks by advocating for the passing of a national legal framework that would ensure healthier marine ecosystems and encourage economic stability and sustainable livelihoods.
“As tourism and other economic activities go back to pre-pandemic levels, our oceans and the species that call it home continue to face many threats,” said Anna Oposa, Save Philippine Seas executive director.
“We need national legislation that lays out how we can best protect and sustainably manage threats to our sharks and rays,” Oposa added.
The network is calling for the passage of a legal framework that is science-based, enforceable, and socially just, taking into consideration the state of the marine environment and the communities that depend on these ecosystems.
Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources national director Demosthenes R. Escoto said the agency is one with Save Philippine Seas in conserving inhabitants of the country’s sea waters.
“Your DA-BFAR supports all initiatives that aim to conserve our sharks and highlight its importance in the conservation of marine biodiversity and sustainable use of these resources for succeeding generations,” Escoto said.
Previous Shark Conservation Week celebrations were held in Cebu City, Cebu in 2014; Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental in 2016; and Panglao and Tagbilaran City, Bohol in 2018.
One of the objectives of Shark Conservation Week is to build a constituency among various stakeholders, including line government agencies, legislators, the private sector, youth and academic institutions, fishers, traders and other sectors such as tourism.
A Shark Summit was also held on 2-3 March to document the progress of shark conservation in the Philippines and identify relevant issues that needed to be addressed. The Summit aimed to create a Shark Conservation and Fisheries Management Framework that will serve as basis for any policy needs and conservation actions identified.
Other activities for the Shark Conservation Week included a community mural painting in Quezon City; a Shark Science and Anak ng Pating Youth Forum at the Philippine Science High School main campus; the Shark Summit at the Agricultural Training Institute, also in Quezon City; Baby Shark Storytelling Session at the Museo Pambata in Manila; and K-Pop for the Shark at Market Market in Taguig.
The Shark Conservation Week was organized by SSNP through Marine Wildlife Watch of the Philippines, a conservation organization that aims to develop a better appreciation of the marine environment and its ecological processes.