Two dive sites in Daanbantayan town were declared Shark and Ray sanctuaries of the Province of Cebu.
Daanbantayan Mayor Augusto Corro first signed Executive Order No. 16 series of 2015 on June 2 declaring Monad Shoal and Gato Island off Malapascua Island as sanctuaries.
Monad Shoal, a 184-hectare dive site, is located about 30 minutes from Malapascua Island. Gato Island, a 123-hectare dive site, is 45 minutes away.
Both locations are world renowned dive sites and home to rare marine species, which include thresher sharks, whitetip sharks, manta rays and devil rays.
The launch yesterday was attended by lawyer Czareem Joseph Estella, head of operations of the Cebu Provincial Anti-Illegal Fishing Task Force; Vince Cinches, Oceans campaigner for Greenpeace Philippines; Moonyeen Alava, executive director of Coastal Conservation and Education Foundation Inc. and Dennis Bait-it, executive director of Project Shark Link.
Mayor Corro thanked NGOs for supporting this conservation effort.