The Philippines, in 1998, was one of the first countries to adopt protective legislation toward the whale shark. By banning the fishing of the whale sharks and punishing illegal fishing, Philippines shifted towards eco-tourism, and the fishermen became tour guides. The country holds some of the best places in the world to watch whale sharks, including Donsol, named the “Whale Shark Capital of the World.”

The whale shark ended up being a gold mine for the country’s tourism industry, and is even featured on national banknotes.

Unfortunately, as in most cases where mass tourism is present, not all is bright in the lives of Philippine whale sharks.

A more recent hot spot for whale shark watching, Tan-awan, close to Oslob town on the island of Cebu, has transformed dramatically in the five years since the whale shark business opened. It changed from a tiny, quiet fishermen’s village to a crowded place with dozens of resorts that receive around 500 to 1,000 tourists per day.

According to thediplomat