A growing number of tourists has been observed in Barangay Pasil, Santander in southernmost of Cebu Province after a video of baby sharks near the shoreline went viral. 

Vehicles were spotted on a pitstop by the roadside near the shoreline where herds of baby sharks are visible. 

The tourists were said to have flown in from as far as Manila with flight distance of about 500 kilometers and about 800 kilometers via the Pan-Philippine highway, or driven from as far as Cebu City which is from 137-139 kilometers. 

Curious onlookers, some kibitzers, from neighboring towns have also trooped to Barangay Pasil to also take a dip in the experience of finding baby sharks, though this is not the first time these sharks come near the shore. Santander has been known as a nursing ground for sharks years back, identified by the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) 7 as black-tip sharks. 

John Mirale, a Bantay-Dagat (sea patrol) member, said that presence of sharks is recorded in the area in the last five years. 

Some foreign tourists were also spotted sharing the glee and fascination with spectators on shark-watch. 

Residents noticed of the increasing number of people beginning February 11, 2024, dropping by to check on the reported presence of baby sharks hours after the video, captured by netizen Cris Oniong, made its rounds on social media.

It is also a plus that shark-watching comes free of charge. However, the Local Government Unit has imposed regulations in the area being a marine sanctuary. Fishing and gleaning seashells are prohibited activities. 

Swimming is allowed but only from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on the condition that there should be permission from staff members of the municipality, or from barangay officials. 

Further, BFAR 7 warned the public to always exercise precaution and prudence when swimming in shark-infested swaths of sea. 

BFAR 7 informed that the black-tip sharks sighted in Santander were identified initially in 2020.    

"Ang advisory is dili lang gyud mokumpyansa. Wala gyud mi nag-ingon nga aggressive na sya or dili na sya aggressive, we cannot still determine that. Pero being an apex predator, kana precautionary lang. We rely lang unta sa surface kay bisan makit-an lang unta ang fins but di sila ka-capture sa clear picture; lisud daw kay inig duol nila mo-swim away ang shark dayon,” Johann Tejada, technical assistant of BFAR-7's Office of the Regional Director, said.

Tejada underscored that it is possible the place where the shivers of baby sharks gather regularly is rich in food sources or could be their breeding and nursing grounds.