Dead Shark Found Entangled in Diaper in Zamboanga City Seas
A dead shark was found dead with a diaper tightly wrapped around its head near Sta. Cruz Island in Zamboanga City.
On Wednesday, November 19, 2025, the poor shark was found by diver Harvey Yap, who noticed a disposable diaper tightly wrapped around its head, which likely caused the animal to suffocate.
Yap, who has been diving in the area for 15 years, shared that although sightings of reef sharks are rare, this was the first time he had encountered one that died because of trash. The incident left him deeply concerned about the worsening condition of the sea and the growing amount of waste harming marine life.
The diver explained that their dive group, Sinag Dive Group, often collects trash during their dives. Most of what they find includes plastic waste, nylon ropes, and now, more diapers than ever.
The latter added that diapers are especially dangerous because they easily get stuck on coral reefs and marine animals, leading to suffocation as creatures may mistake the floating debris for food.
The group has also rescued sea turtles this year, only to lose them later because they had ingested plastic. For Yap, these incidents are painful reminders of how pollution is slowly killing the ocean.
He also believes that the presence of sharks in an area is a sign of healthy waters, as these animals usually thrive in balanced ecosystems. However, the increasing amount of trash threatens the delicate marine environment.
Yap shared that during just one hour of diving, they are able to collect several buckets of garbage.
While the local government continues to raise awareness among tourists, Yap thinks that the bigger problem comes from coastal communities that still dispose of their waste directly into the sea.
A report from Climate Crisis 247 released in November 2025 noted that the Philippines is now the top contributor of plastic waste entering the ocean, releasing more than 356,000 tons yearly.
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