Home

You Can Help

There are many ways to help out in moving forward to whale shark conservation in the Philippines. From a simple relay of information and advocacy to devoting time and money are just some of the ways you could help out.

SPREADING AWARENESS: Now that you are informed and aware of the current status of whale sharks in the Philippines, relay what you know to your family, relatives and friends. Encourage them to spread the awareness as well.

SUPPORT OUR CAMPAIGN: Whale sharks and other sharks species are threatened by finning. Learn more about our advocacy.

PROTECT THEIR HABITAT: If whale sharks abound your waters, support any initiatives that protect you area. Help the community protect and conserve your natural resources and support the creation of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) where the whale shark are seen.

REPORTING: Be active and report any sightings and strandings of whale shark in your area. Be part of the continuing data gathering process in learning more about this animal in your area. Report them to this website. Also, report any illegal activities that may directly or indirectly harm the whale sharks. Contact the leaders of your area or the appropriate government agencies like the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (B

FAR). Or report them to this website and we will network you to the appropriate authorities.

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES: During the whale shark season in Donsol, WWF-Philippines get volunteers to participate in the photo-id research and planktoning survey in the area. Please visit WWF-Philippines for ongoing volunteer opportunites. In some whale shark areas in the Philippines, some volunteers may be needed for research. Keep checking this page for existing volunteer opportunities.

NON-MONETARY DONATIONS: Here are some ways you could help with the research:

  • HIRE-SHARE-GATHER: When you visit the Donsol, Philippines or any area in the Philippines offering whale shark interaction, HIRE a boat on your own and SHARE it with volunteer researchers. You are helping out in the conservation by letting us do our photo-id work and helping us GATHER whale shark’s physical and behavioral data.
  • CLICK-SUBMIT: Exercise your underwater photography skills every time you dive with a whale shark anywhere in the Philippines. CLICK those cameras and SUBMIT your photos to ECOCEAN or through this website on any sightings of whale sharks,
  • GIVE EXTRA M-S-F: In our volunteer opportunities, we encourage Fisheries and Marine Biology students in the universities in the country to participate in the conduct of the research to gain experience in data gathering, processing and analysis of data. The work requires equipment like mask, snorkel and fins and we only have a few sizes available. So if you have extra Masks, Snorkels and Fins (in workable conditions), we would appreciate your generosity if you donate it to this website and we will give them to appropriate study/research areas .

    • MONETARY DONATIONS: For those that can not afford to spend time, effort and expertise, we encourage them to help out through monetary donations. This website, however, does not accept the donation. If you are inclined to give money to give for whale shark conservation, Please do email us and we would gladly redirect you to the agency/NGO/LGU that may need your donation. We do encourage that you specify the preferred activity where your money will go. Suggested activities are:

    • Conducting research in the Philippines
    • Information campaign about whale shark in the Philippines
    • Sponsoring a local student (food and transportation) in the conduct of research
    • Purchase of needed equipment/materials (as indicated above)
    • No preferred activity (make us suggest to what is badly needed!)
    • Others (please indicate): ___________________________

    See areas that needs immediate funding

    Please email us info@butandingnetwork.net with the following information so that we could facilitate the donation process by directing you to possible recepient of your generosity.

    • Name
    • Preferred Activity
    • Amount

    We NEED your IDEAS! If you have any suggestions and bright ideas on how to move forward in whale shark conservation the Philippines, feel free to email our administrator info@butandingnetwork.net and we would gladly publish them on this page.

    Click here to see who have contributed to this website and to whale shark conservation in the Philippines.