Celebrate the presence of whales, dolphins and sharks in your waters

I was very concerned to learn of the recent comments made in Cebu City at the Tanon Strait Protected Seascape Stakeholders’ Summit concerning possible culling of marine top predators in Philippines’ waters. There appears to be concern about falling fisheries catches in this region and the belief that this decline is being created (or perhaps exacerbated) by the presence of whales, dolphins and sharks. That is most unlikely to be the case.

For many years I have followed similar claims and they are typically based on an assessment that is unscientific and unsubstantiated. Culling could, in fact, be counter-productive to fisheries and other local and national interests. The simple equation that predators eat x tons of fish or squid (perhaps based on a calculated metabolic need) does not mean that this quantity would otherwise be available to fishermen if the predators are removed. These matters need to be viewed through a wiser lens and several questions considered, including what exactly are the predators eating and where are they feeding?