LOOK: Endangered shark sold in a market in Bohol

The Philippines is a country rich in natural resources which unfortunately are being exploited, with some endangered or vulnerable species being sold indiscriminately.

Republic Act No. 9147 (R.A. 9147) is an act providing for the conservation and protection of wildlife resources and their habitats. However, it seems that this is not being implemented throughout the country. Section 2 (b) specifically states that R.A. 9147 aims to regulate the collection and trade of wildlife, however, a netizen by the name Holger W. Horn recently posted photos of a Thresher Shark being sold in a market in Tagbilaran City in Bohol.

Included in the post was a message to the politicians of Bohol to protect the sharks and other marine wildlife in the area just like what Cebu does.

“Basically all sharks are on the endangered species list and this Thresher Shark is no difference (sic). It was spotted at the market opposite or beside ICM in Tagbilaran City. There is an existing law in the province of Cebu, protecting all sharks. Also, Daanbantayan declared a shark sanctuary within their municipality. Dear politicians of Bohol, don’t you think that it is high time to jump into the footsteps of Cebu? Sharks, especially Whale Sharks are following migration patterns and their ‘homes’ are all oceans and seas around and beyond the Philippines. And therefore Cebu’s efforts needs to be complimented by other provinces until such time the whole Philippines is protecting all shark species, all mantas species and other Rays (sic).”

In 2014, the province of Cebu finalized the amendment of the law that protects sharks and rays which states that it is unlawful to trade endangered marine life as determined by law.

Currently, all three species of the Thresher shark are vulnerable species identified by the World Conservation Union in 2007. (Source)