The Cebu provincial government strengthened its commitment to protect shark and ray species by establishing the country's first shark and ray sanctuary located off Malapascua Island in Daanbantayan town. This welcome development came almost a year after the province hosted the first Philippine Shark Summit. Through Executive Order 16-2015, Daanbantayan mayor Augusto Corro designated the world-renowned dive sites of Monal Shoal and Gato Island as a shark and ray sanctuary, prohibiting the catching and trading of all shark and ray species within these waters. Rare species, such as thresher sharks, white tip sharks, manta rays and devil rays, can be found in these areas.

Yap, J. P. Jr. (2015, July 8). Country's first shark, ray sanctuary established. Panay News, p. 6.