Swimming with the Whale Sharks of Oslob, Cebu

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Whale-watching in Oslob has created plenty buzz lately and now it's in everybody's bucket list, especially because when you're in Oslob, you're sure to see one. Swimming with the butanding (whale shark) was definitely quite an experience for me. There's something extremely magnificent about these giants. With their size, they could easily be the king of the ocean. But up close, they're so gentle and almost vulnerable.

Truth be told though, I had second thoughts about writing this post. I'm really still on the fence here. The more I read about the butanding, the more convinced I am that these gentle giants should be left alone. I was especially convinced when I read this article from Sierra Madre Divers. On the other hand, their presence at Oslob definitely placed the little town's name on the map, boosted the tourism, and helped people have jobs. 

But then again these people who are benefiting from the presence of the whale sharks do this:

image source

and this:

image source

According to Republic Act No. 9147 whale sharks are classified as "Vulnerable Species" which means,

 “Species or subspecies that is not critically endangered nor endangered but is under threat from adverse factors throughout their range and is likely to move to the endangered category in the near future."

Hence interaction with them is governed by certain guidelines that are obviously not followed in the scenarios depicted at the two photos above.

The whale sharks only appear early mornings. A little before noon, they transfer to another feeding ground.

boats ready to take tourists to see the butandings

The government did impose strict rules during whale-watching and everyone undergoes an orientation before seeing the butandings.

We were specifically told not go near the whale sharks, and wearing sunblock is not allowed as it is toxic for them.

Despite all these, I still think the precautions are not enough. There's still too much tourists and there's very little control. And no one really gets penalized when they disobey these rules. After all, how can you tell if a person is wearing sunblock or not?

So we had plenty of pictures of us having fun. Now it just feels like shameless fun. So I am not posting those pictures.

Instead, let me show your the magnificent whale sharks that we came to see.

see? we're this close

whale shark feeding

Even if you're not supposed to go near them and touch them, they sometimes swim towards you so you really have no choice.

Honestly, this is one of those trips that I know I'm never going to do again. To each his own though.

Thanks for reading my blog!