Anchovies lure whale sharks to Lingayen Gulf

DAGUPAN CITY, Philippines – The abundance of dilis (long-jawed anchovies) used in making bagoong (fish paste) has been attracting butanding (whale sharks) in Lingayen Gulf.

Dr. Westly Rosario, executive director of the National Integrated Fisheries Technology and Development Center, yesterday said whale shark watching has become a pasttime of some residents and beachgoers in the coastal town of San Fabian where four butanding has been sighted since Monday.

Since 2001, whale sharks have been visiting Lingayen Gulf: some accidentally pulled by kalokor (beach seine), and others just enjoying swimming for several hours or days and then disappearing, according to Rosario.

With the onset of the rainy season and nutrients from upstream being brought downstream, butanding are usually sighted in the mouth of he river where freshwater and seawater meet. 

Although people now better appreciate whale sharks, Rosario lamented that awareness about the so-called “gentle giant” is still lacking.

Meanwhile, Rosario said concerned citizens turned over to him last May 20 a 30-kilogram green sea turtle (Chelonia mydas) found in the coastal village of San Isidro Sur in Binmaley town.