Fishermen

 

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Donsol, Philippines, June 2011

 

The world's rarest shark!

 

I received some astonishing news when I was flying to Donsol, one of the world's whale shark capitals: a megamouth shark (Megachasma pelagios) had been discovered in Mexico, only the 52nd since the first sighting of this mysterious animal in Hawaii in 1976.

 

 

Two years ago, number 42 was caught in a fishing net at a depth of 200 meters and was taken to Donsol.  Measuring more than 4 meters long and weighing in at 500kg, it didn't survive it's injuries and was eaten in “kinout,” a local recipe with coconut, sadly, very often using manta ray.  For a meal, which was without doubt one of the rarest in the world, this shark was lost to science.  It was one of the fishermen who told me this remarkable story. 

 

Little is known about the megamouth shark.  It appears to pass most of it's time at a depth of around 1000 meters and then rise toward the surface to feed on plankton, jellyfish and small fish.  Like  whale sharks and basking sharks, megamouth sharks are filter feeders.  It's name is credited to it's enormous mouth (up to 1.3 meters wide) which is filled with tiny teeth. 

 

Several symbols surround this very rare take in Donsol.  First of all, it is undeniable that very little is known about the depths of the ocean and the mysterious animals that live there.  It is also proof of the indisciminating damage caused by drift nets on all ocean life.  Whale sharks are too often victims.  On a more positive note, there is no longer any doubt about the richness of sea life in Donsol.  This region possesses an incredible biodiversity that must be conserved, a treasure to protect, and quickly.  The whale sharks are making no mistake when they stop in Donsol during their annual migration. 

 

It is time to go and tell this story to the students in the schools of Donsol and Sorsogon province.  They don't know much about the marine life in the area surrounding them and in their eyes it is a mystery.  We often only protect what we know! 

 

A short trip to meet the megamouth shark:

 

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Qingdao, China, October 2010

 

China's role

 

The 2008 Olympic Games have long been over, the sailboat races are only a distant memory, but crowds of tourists continue to flock to the seashore at Qingdao, a large city situated in the Northeast of China on the Yellow Sea. 

 

Flying over these few hundred meters of beach, I can't help but think of the over exploitation of our oceans with the thousands of shells and marine turtles sold as decorations, and even tiny living fish sold in plastic key chains.  I also reflect on the difficulties of the fishermen, who are now no more than circus animals trying to flaunt their meager catch under the cameras of passing tourists. 

 

My feathers freeze at the thought of so much proof confirming the uncertain future of our oceans!  It is not a toy, we do not own it and it does not contain infinite resources.  I would like to loudly chirp my dissatisfaction but before throwing accusations, it is necessary to explain and above all it is necessary to do better ourselves. 

 

So I whispered the story of the oceans to a few attentive youth; one day I will show them Jacques Perrin and Jacques Cluzaud's film, “Oceans” with it's breathtaking images which arouse so many positive emotions, simply by showing the beauty of the marine world, its power and its fragility. 

 

In China, like elsewhere, the youth are ready to take up the fight.  The just need to be made aware of the problems, the solutions as well.  They will find them too, I am sure.  Daniel, one of the region's youth, wants to hep me.  He is studying in Shanghai and with his friends he hopes to make a difference.  He loves nature and his country.  He is responsible. 

 

Him, his friends, others, behind a little ball of orange feathers, I chase my black ideas like the accidental pollution a bit further North in Dalian, and take to the sky again, confident in my dream to create eco-centers in China where the youth can go to learn about the fragile balance between nature and Man. 

 

China has an exceptional role to play in the future of our planet, and this new generation has the possibility to put their country in a model position.