The time limit will prevent stressing the marine animals, who have been getting intense public attention from tourists and local visitors since August last year.
The group headed by Provincial Board (PB) member Peter John Calderon said they will meet before month’s end to finalize the draft guidelines.
The TWG is composed of Oslob Mayor Ronald Guaren, PB member Wilfredo Caminero, the Whale Shark Watchers Organization, Provincial Veterinarian Dr. Rose Marie Vincoy and Provincial Legal Officer lawyer Marino Martinquilla.
Under an Oslob municipal ordinance, only an accredited group will be allowed to ferry tourists to the site where the whale sharks gather.
A designated whale shark watching area was also in place with buoys within the municipal waters of the town.
Steps and procedures were also laid out for whale shark watching. These include briefings for tourists at a center set up by the municipality.
After viewing for 30 minutes, the visitor will be guided back to shore.
Life jackets will also be provided for the tourist’s safety. Motor boats are now prohibited in the area. Only paddle boats are allowed. Touching and riding the whale sharks are also prohibited.
A maximum of six tourists are allowed to view for 30 minutes while a maximum of four divers is allowed to avoid crowding.
A fee of P300 per person is set for nonresidents of Oslob.
Oslob residents will be charged P30 for adult and P15 for children below 12 years old.
Tourists bringing video camera will also be charged with an P100 additional fee. Snorkeling is P20 and diving in the area is charged with P50.
Any person caught violating any of these provisions will be fined P2,000 or imprisonment of four to six months. /Correspondent Carmel Loise Matus
bonvito
January 25, 2012
Reblogged this on time travelling and commented:
Here’s a news update regarding whale shark watching in Oslob from Cebu Daily News.