BY: RACHELLE M. NESSIA
CEBU CITY, August 12 (PIA) --- A photo exhibit that aims to raise shark appreciation in the public was unveiled recently in Cebu City.
Greenpeace kicked off the observation of Shark Week on August 10 by unveiling its “Spotlight on Sharks (S.O.S.)” photo exhibit which will run until August 15 at Ayala Center Cebu Level 1 Expansion.
The 12-piece photo exhibit highlights the importance of sharks to global marine biodiversity with the hopes of breaking the stereotypes surrounding sharks and encouraging public and national support for the protection and conservation of sharks.
The photos are from world-renowned and award-winning photographers commissioned by Greenpeace.
In a press statement, Greenpeace said tens of millions of sharks worldwide are killed every year.
“Many, if not most, are caught accidentally in fishing gears, while others are killed directly for their fins, meat or oil. Shark habitats are also being destroyed by both man-made and natural causes and as a result, some species of sharks have plummeted in numbers, or in some cases, have become locally extinct,” according to Greenpeace.
Vince Cinches, Oceans Campaigner for Greenpeace Philippines, is thankful that Cebu has banned the catching of sharks.
“Thankfully, Cebu has banned the catching of sharks. The local government is not only leading conservation efforts, they are prepared to draft stronger regulation measures that will encompass fishery trade and tourism,” he said.
Cinches added that it’s time for Filipinos to give sharks their due respect and appreciation and protect them from further extinction.
In line with the Shark Week celebration, Greenpeace is also set to hold school forums at University of Cebu, University of Visayas, and University of San Jose Recoletos from August 12 to 13, and a Shark Summit on August 14 at the Cebu Capitol. (rmn/PIA Cebu)
