April 11, 2008
Macau Daily Times

Shark hunting in the Philippines has led to a drastic drop in the numbers of the creatures, authorities said yesterday, despite efforts to limit the slaughter.

The once-abundant population of thresher sharks (alopias vulpinus) off the coast of Batangas city, 80 kilometres south of Manila, has hit "vulnerable" levels due to widespread hunting, said local tourism chief Cecil Rosales.

"The situation is now very alarming," Rosales said, adding local fishermen consider the sharks as "pests" who destroy their nets and pounce on their catch.

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