Using long-term integrated research programs to improve whale shark tourism at Oslob, Philippines

•They use a straw man argument to advance their advocacy of whale shark provisioning.•To question integrity of our research is insulting, unproductive and unprofessional.•There is no evidence of the conservation benefits of this activity.•We use integrated, long-term, peer-reviewed research to inform site management.•We continue to advocate for the precautionary principle to guide activities.