2026 Edition

N/A

Conservation vs Tourism

Whale shark tourist site, Philippines, 2025

Category - Humanity vs Nature

Conservation vs Tourism

Feeding wild animals is a highly debated topic in marine conservation. At Oslob in the Philippines endangered whalesharks are fed daily with tourists flocking to see them. The practice brings economic benefits to local communities and provides an incentive to protect endangered whale sharks from lethal fishing and finning practices. While regulations are in place to minimise human contact and feeding times, concerns remain regarding the long-term impact on the sharks’ natural behaviour, migration patterns, and overall health.

28 mm f/4-5.6 Lens - 1/200 sec at f/22 ISO 100