Philippines’ Bohol Develops Science-based Guidelines For Sustainable Whale Shark Tourism To Ensure Marine Conservation

Sunday, August 3, 2025

Bohol, 1 of nan Philippines’ astir beautiful provinces, is presently moving connected science-based guidelines to restart its whale shark tourism activities. This inaugural is led by nan province’s Sustainable Wildlife Tourism Technical Working Group (TWG). It is portion of a broader effort to protect marine resources and guarantee nan sustainability of nan province’s unsocial tourism experiences.

Suspension of Whale Shark Tourism and nan Path to Recovery

In February, Governor Erico Aristotle Aumentado ordered a suspension of whale shark watching activities. This determination was made successful consequence to reports indicating that unauthorized feeding of nan marine giants was occurring, coupled pinch businesses operating without nan basal permits. The suspension aimed to protect Bohol’s marine ecosystem, ensuring that its tourism remains sustainable and aligned pinch biology goals.

The whale shark is not only a captivating marine type but besides 1 that importantly contributes to nan section system done ecotourism. With this successful mind, nan Bohol Provincial Government has prioritized nan implementation of a responsible and science-based model for managing whale shark tourism.

A Collaborative Approach to Developing nan Guidelines

On July 31, members of nan Sustainable Wildlife Tourism TWG convened to talk nan model for resuming whale shark activities. Experts, officials, and stakeholders participated successful this captious meeting, pinch a beardown attraction connected aligning nan guidelines pinch Bohol’s committedness to sustainability and responsible tourism.

The TWG has emphasized nan value of ensuring that each tourer guides and vessel operators acquisition due legalization from nan Department of Tourism (DOT). Additionally, a mandatory training programme provided by nan DOT will beryllium required to guarantee that tourism providers are equipped pinch nan knowledge and skills to behaviour responsible whale shark interactions.

The collaborative attack underscores nan value of informed, research-based strategies. The group discussed nan value of technological research, regulatory compliance, and nan request for interagency coordination. These elements are basal to ensuring that whale shark activities not only protect nan marine situation but besides supply sustainable economical benefits to nan section community.

Bohol’s Unique Recognition arsenic a UNESCO Global Geopark

Bohol’s ongoing efforts are besides linked to its caller nickname arsenic nan Philippines’ first and only UNESCO Global Geopark. This prestigious nickname highlights nan province’s unsocial earthy practice and its beardown committedness to biology conservation. The improvement of sustainable tourism guidelines aligns pinch Bohol’s imagination to go a world leader successful sustainable tourism practices, attracting environmentally conscious travelers while safeguarding its earthy resources for early generations.

Importance of Science and Research successful Tourism Management

During nan TWG meeting, experts successful marine wildlife tourism provided their insights. The engagement of Dr. Jo Marie V. Acebes, laminitis of Balyena.org, and Dr. Arnel Andrew Yaptinchay, executive head of nan Marine Wildlife Watch of nan Philippines, brought valuable technological perspectives to nan discussions. Their inputs emphasized nan request for data-driven strategies and nan value of monitoring nan effect of tourism connected marine life.

Their expertise helped guideline nan improvement of nan projected guidelines, ensuring that they are built upon nan champion disposable technological knowledge. This research-based attack intends to onslaught a equilibrium betwixt tourism and conservation, ensuring that whale shark tourism remains a cardinal portion of Bohol’s sustainable tourism offerings without compromising nan wellness of its marine ecosystems.

Ensuring Compliance and Coordinating Efforts Across Agencies

A important facet of nan guidelines is ensuring that each tourism activities are compliant pinch regulations and that nan required permits are secured. The TWG discussed nan domiciled of various agencies successful managing this process, including nan Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), nan Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), and nan Bohol Island State University (BISU). These agencies, on pinch nan Provincial Environment Management Office (BPEMO), play a captious domiciled successful overseeing nan implementation of nan guidelines and ensuring that each activities are carried retired successful accordance pinch nan established protocols.

The TWG besides highlighted nan value of ongoing investigation to show nan effects of tourism connected whale shark populations and nan broader marine ecosystem. This investigation will pass immoderate early adjustments to nan guidelines, ensuring that Bohol’s whale shark tourism activities stay sustainable successful nan agelong term.

Fostering Local Economic Growth Through Sustainable Tourism

While nan guidelines are focused connected conservation, they besides stress nan imaginable of whale shark tourism to support section economical development. Sustainable tourism offers an opportunity for communities to use financially from their earthy resources while ensuring that these resources are protected for early generations. The TWG discussed really responsible whale shark tourism could supply economical opportunities for section guides, vessel operators, and different businesses, contributing to nan broader maturation of Bohol’s tourism sector.

The Bohol government’s committedness to promoting sustainable tourism aligns pinch nan increasing world request for eco-friendly recreation options. By ensuring that its whale shark tourism is scientifically managed and responsibly conducted, Bohol is mounting a modular for different destinations that trust connected marine wildlife tourism.

Conclusion

As Bohol develops its science-based guidelines for whale shark tourism, nan state is taking important steps to guarantee nan sustainability of this iconic activity. Local authorities officials, tourism experts, and conservationists are moving together to protect nan region’s marine situation while besides promoting section economical growth. With its nickname arsenic a UNESCO Global Geopark and a attraction connected responsible tourism, Bohol is group to go a exemplary for sustainable tourism practices successful nan Philippines and beyond.

This ongoing inaugural shows nan important domiciled that subject and teamwork play successful creating a tourism exemplary that benefits some nan situation and nan section community. By cautiously balancing tourism and conservation, Bohol is making judge that its whale shark tourism remains a affirmative and lasting unit for nan state and its people.