Whale sharks fascinate tourists at Lingayen Beach
May 22, 2009 12:30 pm
LINGAYEN, Pangasinan, May 22 –Five "butandings" or whale sharks are now an added attraction at the Lingayen Beach as they fascinate promenaders with their diving maneuvers and other eye-catching antics.
However, another "butanding" was treated of its injuries when it was beached at the back of Tondaligan Park in Barangay Bonuan Gueset last Wednesday noon.
Director Westly Rosario of the National Fisheries Research and Development Institute (NFRDI), who was among those who treated the injured "butanding", said this is the season when whale sharks teem in the Lingayen Gulf.
He noted the presence of whale sharks in the Lingayen Gulf indicates the abundance of small fishes in the area which the giant sea creatures feed on.
Whale sharks prey on plankton, krill, small fish and squid while swimming.
The whale sharks seen in Lingayen, especially in Barangays Estanza and Sabangan, Lingayen are a sight to behold because they seem to be putting up a show to attract tourists.
Residents of the two barangays said they have been seeing the five whale sharks near their shores since May 18.
They dubbed the "butandings" as “artista” (actors) for their penchant for coming out of the waters and showing-off whenever there are visitors around.
The whale shark (Rhincodon typus) is the largest living fish species which can grow up to 40 feet in length and weigh up to 14 tons. It is found in tropical and warm waters.
Rosario said residents along the shorelines of the Lingayen Gulf already know what to do in case they see "butandings" or other fishes belonging to the endangered species in their areas as they have learned to care for such creatures. (PNA)
LAP/lvm/lvmicua/rma
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