I have just been informed that a Megamouth Shark (Megachasma pelagios) has washed ashore at Mabini, Batangas, in the Philippines. The shark, a female, was estimated to be around 160cm. This is the smallest specimen ever to be recorded. Locals managed to return the pup back into the ocean were it slowly swam away unharmed.
This is the 4th Megamouth shark to be recorded this year in the Philippines and the 46th specimen for the country. Since its discovery in November 1976, there have been a total of 307 records for this species. The records indicate that the area between the Philippines and Taiwan is a breeding ground for the Megamouth Shark. The Philippines is one of the few countries that protect this harmless shark.
