Since2011,fishersinOslobhavetakenmorethan750,000touriststoseewhalesharksupclose.Touristssayit’sthrilling!Aonce-in-a-lifetimeexperience.Thefishersclaimthatthisindustryhelpsthembettertakecareoftheirfamilies.Thesharksshowupbecausethefishersfeedthemeveryday.Manypeoplethinkthisadventureisharmlessforthesharks.Andithelpslocalpeople.Othersthinkthatfeedingthesharkschangestheirnaturalbehaviors.Theythinkitmayhurttheirwell‑being.Whoisright?That’satoughone.Therearetwosidestothis story.
ThisisaviewoftheSumilonIslandbeachlandingnear Oslob.
Aguidefeedsawhale shark.
ForWhaleSharkTourism
ImprovingLives
Beforewhalesharktourism,localpeopleearnedabout$1.40adaybyfishing.Itwasn’tenoughtoputfoodonthetableorsendtheirchildrentoschool.Thenatouristofferedtopayafishertoseeawhalesharkup close.
Soon,thefishersjoinedtogether.Theycreatedadivecompanythatattractedmorevisitors.Theirbusinessearnedmorethan$18 millioninfiveyears.Now,localssaytheyhavemoneytoprovidefortheir families.
Thebusinessgivesmuchofitsprofitstohelpsurroundingtowns.Resortsandhotelshavepoppedup.Andmanypeoplesellfoodandsouvenirsto tourists.
Theguidessaythatfeedingwhalesharksisgoodforallfish.Fewerpeopleneedtofishtomakealiving.Whalesharksarelesslikelytobekilledfortheirfinstomakesharkfinsoup.Tourismalsoraisesawarenessthatwhalesharksare endangered.
Signspointthewaytowhaleshark watching.
Touristsswimwithawhale shark.