8 butandings draw crowd in San Fabian
SAN FABIAN—A group of whale sharks, locally known as butanding, is now a crowd drawer in the shoreline of Barangay Nibaliw Vidal here, providing an alternative source of income to some 15 fishermen who have momentarily hanged up their nets and began shuttling tourists to the area.
Regional Director Nestor Domenden of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) said the creatures, the biggest of which measures five meters, are now swimming individually and sometimes in a group some 700 meters away from the shores.
“I am happy the fishermen are now benefiting from the butanding,” said Domenden, adding that there is usually a lull in fishing at this time of the year.
He added that with fishermen having an alternative source of income by bringing tourists close to the whales’ playground for a fee, the pressure on the resources of the sea has eased.
Domenden said the fishermen and banca owners themselves take the initiative to protect the butanding from possible harm from tourists as they have become aware of the law extending protection to endangered species.
Butandings, the biggest sea mammal, are such gentle creatures that humans can get as close as an arm’s length but the law prohibits tourists to touch them.
Domenden called on tourists to simply take pictures and enjoy watching the mammals come and go.
The fishermen said sea mammals came in two batches. Four whales came in two weeks ago, followed by another four few days later.
Domenden believes that these are the same butanding seen near the shore of nearby Bauang and Caba, La Union some years ago.
FOOD SOURCE
The presence of the whale sharks indicates an abundance of anchovies, locally called monamon, in the eastern part of the Lingayen Gulf at this time of the year.
“The fact that two weeks had passed and they are still here show that they still have plenty of food to eat and are not being disturbed whatsoever, especially by blast fishing activity,” Domenden said.
At the same time, he said the temperature of the water at this time of the year is suitable for the mammals.
The first known incursion of butanding in the Lingayen Gulf was in 2001.
From then on, they have been coming every year to feed on the tiny fish teeming in the area between the months of May and June.
Personnel of the Philippine Navy and members of the Fisheries Resources and Management Council in the area are keeping watch on the butanding 24/7.
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