A 15 foot megamouth male shark found by fishermen with its tail missing was washed up on a beach in Marigondon, Pioduran in between Albay and Masbate provinces last January 28, 2015.
Nonie Enolva, head of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources-Regional Emergency Stranding Response Team (BFAR-RESRT) said that “the megamouth shark is a rare deep-water shark with a wide open mouth that eats planktons and jellyfish.”
The shark has been named toothless by locals, and said to be displayed and preserved in Albay Park and Wildlife through taxidermy.
Taxidermy is the process of removing all organs of the specimen, soaking its skin in formalin and stuffing it for museum display.
Citizens was warned and discouraged to eat the mega mouth shark because it is an endangered species.
According to her the species becomes poisonous because it can ingest metallic compounds that can be acquired by any person eating its meat.
The cause of death of the shark has not yet to determined and still investigating by the authorities. (MRFB)
