By Tessa R. Salazar
July 14 is Shark Awareness Day, an annual event held to raise awareness about the importance of sharks in marine ecosystems and to promote their conservation. This day aims to dispel myths and fears surrounding sharks, highlighting their vital role in maintaining the balance of our oceans.
We could also note that the acronym for Shark Awareness Day–“SAD”—is quite appropriate for the current state of shark populations not just in Philippine waters, but across the planet, as well. Shark experts lament that many shark species are threatened or endangered due to overfishing, habitat destruction, and the illegal shark fin trade. Shark Awareness Day provides an opportunity to advocate for conservation measures and support sustainable fishing practices.
Sharks are often portrayed negatively in popular media, leading to fear and misunderstanding. Shark Awareness Day aims to educate the public about their true nature and the vital role they play in our oceans.
The National Fisheries Research and Development Institute (NFRDI) Marine Fisheries Research and Development Center reiterated that sharks are not monsters, but vital guardians of our seas.
The Philippines is home to over 100 species of sharks, including thresher sharks, hammerheads, whale sharks (butanding), and reef sharks, many of which are now threatened by illegal fishing, bycatch, and habitat loss.
From Tubbataha to Donsol, sharks play a key role in keeping our marine ecosystems healthy and resilient. Their presence is a sign of ocean health, and their disappearance would mean trouble for coral reefs, fish stocks, and coastal livelihoods.
Protecting sharks is protecting the future of Philippine seas.
The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) said that “this celebration is an opportunity to advance conservation efforts, and inspire a greater understanding of the critical role that sharks play in maintaining the health and biodiversity of our oceans.”
“This day serves as a reminder of the critical state in which many species of sharks fall into due to several factors such as overfishing, habitat degradation and destruction, and the shark fin trade.”
“The Department of Agriculture-BFAR, as a longstanding partner in the conservation of the Philippines’ diverse shark and ray populations, encourages everyone to take action in protecting sharks as important aquatic resources. This includes supporting sustainable fishing practices, advocating for stronger regulations against shark finning, and promoting marine protected areas that provide safe havens for sharks and rays.”
The Earth Island Institute Philippines said: “As the center of marine biodiversity in the world, the Philippines hosts over 50 protected shark species. Each species has a crucial ecological role to play as an apex predator. They come in various shapes and sizes, the most iconic being the butanding—the largest fish in the world.
The institute continued, “Shark Awareness Day, observed every 14th of July, reminds us that sharks face various issues, such as overfishing and habitat destruction. Moreover, intrusive eco-tourism practices disrupt the natural behavior of whale sharks in some parts of the country. Contrary to popular belief, we are more dangerous to sharks than the other way around. We must advocate for the protection of all sharks.”
The Large Marine Vertebrates Research Institute Philippines said that the country is one of the world’s hotspots for shark and ray diversity with a great number of species present, at least historically. Unfortunately, most of them are very hard to find nowadays, mostly due to overfishing. Approximately 200 species of sharks and rays are thought to inhabit Philippine waters, yet data on the current status of their populations in the country is limited. Sharks and rays are highly vulnerable species. Their life strategy of growing to a relatively large size, reaching sexual maturity very late in life and producing a small number of offspring put them at great risk of overexploitation, making it hard for them to cope with common threats like overfishing and habitat degradation. (With sources from the National Fisheries Research and Development Institute, Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, Large Marine Vertebrates Research Institute Philippines, and Earth Island Institute Philippines)