In Cebu town, apologies spurt from whale shark handling

CEBU CITY—A picture of a girl trying to stand atop a whale shark in Boljoon, Cebu, sparked outrage on the Internet and apologies from the town mayor who promised to push for a local law protecting the gentle sea creatures.

Boljoon Mayor Teresita Celis, in a phone interview on Tuesday, apologized for the mishandling of a whale shark that was entangled in a fishing net and had to be pulled into shallow waters in Barangay Granada in the town at about 7 a.m. on March 31.

The picture shows a girl apparently trying to stand atop the whale shark with the help of what looked like male guides in the town that is trying to cash in on the sudden appearance of whale sharks that were more commonly associated with Donsol, a town in Sorsogon  made famous by the world’s biggest fish.

Celis said the spectacle of the whale shark being used like a surf board was one of the reasons she is pushing for an ordinance that would define how whale sharks should be treated if these come into contact with town residents and visitors.

Aside from the girl, identified as Carinn Lestolis, her cousins and neighbors were among those posing for pictures as they gathered around the whale shark, whose tail was tied with a rope, according to a Cebu Daily News (CDN) report.

In an interview with CDN, fisherman Pablo Trapero said the whale shark got caught in a fish net and had to be taken to shallow waters to be released.

Before it was freed, though, residents approached the creature and had fun touching it.

Lestolis said she was not aware that it was wrong to touch the creature. “All we know is that they shouldn’t be harmed,” she said.

Cebu Vice Gov. Agnes Magpale said she wanted to consult the provincial board for an ordinance that will list down rules on how to interact with whale sharks.

Magpale, in an interview on Tuesday, said the ordinance should also specify and depict guidelines in handling whale sharks.

Magpale, the provincial board tourism committee chair, said the whale shark, that has become an attraction in the town, should be protected.

“On the part of tourism, I am really concerned because this is really drawing many tourists. I receive many text messages asking when is the best time to visit,” she said.