Oslob Whale Sharks

Attila Kaszo · Issue 79, Jul/Aug 2014 · pp. 81–82

Products mentioned: Nikon D800, Nikkor 16mm

Whale Sharks (Rhincodon typus) are slow-moving filter feeding sharks and the largest known non-cetacean species. Claims of individuals over 14 m (46 ft) long and weighing at least 30 metric tones (66,000 lb) are not uncommon. Whale sharks originated about 60 million years ago, and today, they are listed internationally as a vulnerable species, but still commercially targeted in some Asian countries. Fortunately, not all Asian countries hold the same harvesting view, and many fishing communities have turned to tourism as the main source of income. Donsol and Oslob in the Philippines are such examples. Whale sharks had been visiting these regions for decades and during those decades were hunted. In 1998 at Donsol, they were apparently “discovered” and after international support hunting turned into whale shark watching which turned into eco tourism. Oslob went much the same way but later i…