PH needs comprehensive shark legislation

Today is Shark Awareness Day, and we urgently call on the Marcos administration to pass a shark conservation legislation—or the future of Philippine conservation will come back to bite us.

Over 200 kinds of sharks live in Philippine waters, making them an important aquatic resource. However, there are several challenges to these species, such as unrestricted tourism, marine wildlife destruction, and rampant fishing for their meat, oil, skin, and fins.

The Philippine government has made great progress in shark conservation and management after realizing the critical role that sharks play in the country’s environment and economy. To protect the future of sharks in our waters and safeguard Philippine culture as well as present and future generations, it is critical that we act fast by building on this accomplishment and enacting comprehensive legislation.

The Philippines is a signatory to important international environmental treaties like the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) and the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals. These international agreements impose binding legal requirements on member nations, laying the groundwork for effective conservation initiatives. We can work together to conserve sharks and their habitats by upholding our commitment and playing an active role in international negotiations.

The engagement of civil society organizations (CSOs) has strengthened the administration’s initiatives. A collaboration of committed institutions and organizations called Save Sharks Network Philippines (SSNP) has been instrumental in promoting shark conservation. SSNP has advanced the conservation movement through multistakeholder participation and skill- and knowledge-sharing activities. As we move forward, it is essential that we continue the collective action with CSOs, advocates, and experts while also harnessing our best practices and lessons learned.

Globally, the Philippines has consistently shown dedication to shark conservation, distinguishing itself in Southeast Asia. The country has demonstrated its commitment by supporting CITES listing requests for several shark species in recent years, consequently ensuring international protection for these animals. While these international agreements offer a solid policy basis, enacting thorough national legislation is an essential next step.

Significant advancements in shark conservation were made at the onset of the administration in June 2022, with the introduction of the shark conservation bill in both the House of Representatives and the Senate. Once passed, these bills could be used as a basis for amending other species-specific regulations and as a supplement to current laws like the Philippine Fisheries Code and the Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act.

There is another legislative path available. A fisheries administrative order (FAO) can speed up the process by including clauses that are similar to those in the proposed bill because they only need the approval of the Department of Agriculture and its secretary. Though an FAO can efficiently mobilize resources within the mandate of the national government agency, a national law makes it easier to distribute resources and mobilize manpower, which increases the likelihood that it will be implemented successfully.

Additionally, the drafting of the national framework for shark conservation and fisheries management in March 2023 means moving forward in the right direction. It is crucial to follow it with the enactment of a comprehensive and stringent shark conservation law. Such legislation will handle important issues that previous regulations have not fully addressed, such as confinement, interactions with tourists, and bycatch. A national legal framework will strengthen our conservation efforts and inspire the long-term viability of sharks in our waters by dedicating resources for enforcement and implementation.

The year 2023 offers a unique potential for the Philippine government to establish itself as a leader in shark conservation on a worldwide scale. The adoption of a national law will formalize efforts and create a strong anchor for ongoing conservation projects. We must capitalize on this momentum and give shark conservation, management, and sustainable use a top priority. By doing this, we can conserve our marine habitats, the tourism sector, and the future of these species in the years to come.

The time to act is now. We must keep working to save sharks and push forward its sustainable use in alignment with biodiversity preservation. We can reinforce our international obligations and strengthen the participation of civil society, advocates, and experts as we ensure a future in which sharks coexist well with our ecosystems by enacting comprehensive national legislation.

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Anna Oposa is executive director of Save Philippine Seas and the co-convener of Save Sharks Network Philippines.