SUBSCRIBE TO OUR SHARK NEWS

* indicates required

Please double-confirm you wish to receive news from us. Remember you can unsubscribe at any time.

We use Mailchimp as our marketing platform. By clicking below to subscribe, you acknowledge that your information will be transferred to Mailchimp for processing. Learn more about Mailchimp's privacy practices here.

TOPPX2
TOPPX2
Rare sighting of a tiger shark (Galeocerdo cuvier) cruising the shallows at Tubbataha

The recovery is on at Tubbataha

Added to Stories from the Field on 19 September 2017
LinkedIn
Tiger sharks appear to be making a comeback in the Philippines’ Tubbataha reefs area. Six individuals have been identified in recent years after many years of the species not being seen at this diving hotspot located in the northern apex of the Coral Triangle.

These identifications are welcome news for the treasured location, now a Marine Protected Area (MPA) that is recognized as a major source of fish and coral larvae that seed the wider Sulu Sea. Tubbataha was declared a World Heritage Site in 1993.

The WWF has been partnering with the Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park management since the late 1990s, providing funds and technical assistance to ensure a permanent presence of onsite park rangers. So far, the signs are encouraging, pointing to increasing shark populations that include grey reef, whitetip reef, silky sharks as well as marble rays.

 

The recovery is on at Tubbataha
Dr. Andy Cornish, Leader for WWF and TRAFFIC Sharks and Rays Initiative, talks with a Ranger about enforcement issues

As researched by WWF allies LAMAVE (Large Marine Vertebrate Research Institute Philippines), who have been conducting video surveys of sharks and rays at Tubbataha, the LAMAVE team found a variety of 22 species present, although some were too deep for divers.

For species such as tiger sharks, it means word is getting out that the Tubbataha MPA is a protected area – good news for the WWF, which plans to encourage the designation of more such MPAs in the coming years. Locations include the neighbouring Cagayancillo municipalty, where discussions with communities are underway to create areas to protect sharks for tourism.

Dr. Andy Cornish, Leader for WWF and TRAFFIC Sharks and Rays Initiative, said “Tubbataha is one of a handful of sites in Southeast Asia where sharks are actually making a recovery. WWF is expanding our MPA work globally – including commissioning a practical guide on how to best protect sharks – encouraged by the success of Tubbataha and others like it.”

 

LinkedIn

Gallery

Marbled Ray on the wall at Tubbataha

Marbled Ray on the wall at Tubbataha

Related News

Helping preserve sharks and mantas in Komodo National Park

Added to Stories from the Field on 10 November 2017

Indonesia’s Komodo National Park is becoming famous for more than watching the legendary lizards. Divers are now getting up close with sharks and mantas as ecotourism grows in popularity.

Read more

Sulu Seas shark tourism expedition

Added to Blogs on 24 May 2017

By Andy Cornish

One of the more gratifying experiences for a conservationist is seeing the approaches you’ve developed coming into fruition in the real world, and having a positive effect.

Read more

World's first-ever best-practice guide for responsible shark and ray tourism released

Added to Press Releases on 03 March 2017

Project AWARE®, WWF and The Manta Trust are pleased to release Responsible Shark and Ray Tourism: A Guide to Best Practice, the world’s first-ever guidelines for shark and ray tourism operators.

Read more

Working to sustain the natural world for the benefit of people and nature.


© 2020 WWF - World Wide Fund For Nature© 1986 Panda Symbol WWF – World Wide Fund For Nature (formerly World Wildlife Fund) ® “WWF” is a WWF Registered Trademark Creative Commons license.