Feeding Fishermen

Whilst the debate surrounding Oslob’s feeding of whale sharks continues, studies have been conducted on how the tourist attraction has been supporting the livelihoods of fishermen, and perhaps that of the whale sharks too

- Judi Lowe

Barangay Tan-awan, a small village found in the municipality of Oslob, Philippines, is home to the most-dived whale shark site on the planet. Thanks to the daily sighting of whale sharks close to shore, Oslob Whale Sharks – the official whale shark sighting operator – became an overnight success. Since 2011, Oslob has been owned and run by a co-operative of fishermen, the Tan-Awan and Oslob Sea Wardens and Fisherman’s Association (TOSWFA), in partnership with the local government. TOSWFA families own the land on which Oslob runs, and all income earned from ticket sales go directly to the fishermen and the local government, who channel income to protecting whale sharks, marine conservation, and the community. Interestingly, the incomes earned by TOSWFA fishermen and their community are significantly higher than those of fishing communities from best practice expatriate-owned dive tourism in other parts of the world.

Whale sharks are listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List, but the fishermen of Tan-awan were never fishers of whale sharks. Whale sharks have been coming to the bay of Tan-awn to feed on uyap (krill), bumping the banca (traditional outrigger canoes) of fishermen and getting in the way of nets. The fishermen would throw handfuls of uyap to move them out of the way. It is this presence that Oslob Whale Sharks is built on.