A sustainable model for shark tourism needs to be implemented in Tan-awan, Oslob in Cebu as it is leading to the degradation of the local coral reef ecosystem,a collaborative research by the University of Hong Kong (HKU), the University of Guam (UoG) and the Large Marine Vertebrates Research Institute Philippinesv (LAMAVE) said. “The data presented in the paper shows that in comparison to a reference site further south the coast, Tan-awan is affected by greater impacts of degradation as indicated by higher macroalgae and lower coral density as well as a less diverse coral community dominated by weedy corals (Pocillopora) and stress-tolerant (Porites) corals,” LAMAVE said. The Coral Biogeochemistry Lab in the School of Biological Sciences at HKU, one of the top institutions in Asia, led a research expedition to Oslob in 2015 in collaboration with the UoG, LAMAVE and the local government unit of Oslob.

Talavera, C. (2018, December 13). Oslob shark tourism needs sustainable model, says study. The Philippine Star, p. B11.