We promote this day to raise awareness about the importance of sharks. This celebration is an opportunity to advance conservation efforts, and inspire a greater understanding of the critical role that sharks play in maintaining the health and biodiversity of our oceans. This day serves as a reminder of the critical state in which many species of sharks fall into due to several factors such as overfishing, habitat degradation and destruction, and the shark fin trade.
This year’s theme “Preserving the Ocean’s Apex Predators” focuses on highlighting the vital role that sharks play as top predators in maintaining the balance and well-being of the entire marine ecosystems. Sharks help regulate the populations of other marine species. By keeping the populations of prey species, these apex predators help maintain the overall health and biodiversity of the ocean.
The Department of Agriculture-Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (DA-BFAR), as a longstanding partner in the conservation of the Philippines’ diverse shark and ray populations, encourages everyone to take action in protecting sharks as important aquatic resources. This includes supporting sustainable fishing practices, advocating for stronger regulations against shark finning, and promoting marine protected areas that provide safe havens for sharks and rays.
#ProtectSharks