THE LAW OF NATURE FOUNDATION (632) 403.7740

6-J Westgate Tower Investment Dr. Madrigal Business Park, Ayala Alabang, Muntinlupa City, Philippines 1780

http://thelawofnature.ph 21 June 2011 Dear Sirs/Madams: My name is Anna Oposa, an advocate of the environment and an avid scuba diver. I was at the Manila Ocean Park on June 15, 2011, for the launch of Project 7000. I was very surprised and disappointed to find an exhibit entitled “Shark Attack.” Below is a photograph of the banner that greets everyone at the entrance (left) and a screenshot from the Manila Ocean Park website (right).

For an institution that claims to “spearhead efforts in education and awareness on the relevant topics of conservation and preservation of Philippine marine life,” these advertisements do not fulf i l l your objectives. While the intention of this exhibit may be to provide people with a firsthand experience with sharks, the title and its accompanying images (i.e., shark with mouth open baring its teeth and digital image of shark with angry-looking eyes) do not look attractive and appealing. I am sure that the marine biologists and consultants of the Manila Ocean Park know just how rare a shark attack is. It is only because of media, through movies like Jaws, that these perfect species of evolution have gained a negative reputation. According to the International Shark Attack File, there have only been 11 shark attacks in the Philippines between 1580-2010, and the last fatal one was back in 1960. We humans, on the other hand, continue to kill up to 100,000,000 sharks a year.

Shark finning in Cagayan We even kill protected species like the whale shark (see article “Butchered baby butanding found on Antique beach” dated 06 June 2011).

 

2 Calling an exhibit “Shark Attack” only reinforces the incorrect perception that shark conservationists like yours truly are trying hard to change. It allows the undeserved negative reputation of sharks to perpetuate. This kind of mindset makes people think that killing sharks for their fins or collectibles is acceptable, or worse, worth encouraging. I fervently urge you to change the name to something more positive, such as “Shark Encounter” or “Dive with Sharks.” I strongly believe that if more people knew the value of sharks in the marine ecosystem and understood how relatively harmless they are, more people would be inspired to protect them. One of Manila Ocean Park’s goals, after all, is to “promote conservation efforts of marine species which are threatened by extinction, pollution and climate change.” Most, if not all, species of sharks are threatened by these. They are also threatened by ongoing wildlife trading.

Sirs and Madams, we in the environmental movement ought to work together to move forward. Thank you in anticipation of your kind and expeditious action on the matter. I look forward to your reply as I trust that this letter finds you all in good health and spirits. Sincerely, Anna R. Oposa Director for Environmental Law Compliance and Enforcement annaoposa@gmail.com +63917-851-0209 Copy furnished: Atty. Asis Perez Mr. Romy Trono Director Executive Director Bureau of Fisheries and Agriculture Service Conservation International Mr. Lory Tan Ms. Mundita Lim President and CEO Director World Wildlife Fund Protected Areas and Wildlife Bureau Hon. Ramon Paje Mr. Gordon Cancio Secretary Scuba Stop Online Department of Environment and Natural Resources