Whale shark trapped in fishing net freed in Laoag

A whale shark (Rhincodon typus), commonly known as butanding, was trapped in a seine (a vertical fishnet) off Calayab beach here about 2 p.m. on Thursday, according to a report from the Ilocos Norte provincial fishery office. Arthur Valente, Ilocos Norte fishery regulatory officer, said local fishermen spotted the whale shark that was caught in their fishing nets. Aware that the butanding are endangered animals and are not dangerous, the fishermen released the marine mammal back into the sea, the report said.