Thursday, November 30, 2006 Turtle summit set December 7-8
A TURTLE Summit will be conducted in Davao City on December 7 and 8 to encourage all local government units (LGUs) to help in the protection of the endangered marine turtles found within the Davao Gulf.
Davao City Councilor Leonardo Avila III said the summit will invite all 23 coastal LGUs in the region to participate in the preservation of the five out of seven marine turtle species sighted at the Davao Gulf.
The summit will also highlight the best practices in turtle protection being undertaken by the City Government of Davao, which will be shared to other LGUs for duplication.
Avila said they will also be sharing pertinent details of the IOSEA Protocol (Indian Ocean SouthEast Asia) with the participants. The protocol aims to protect, conserve, and rehabilitate marine turtle sanctuaries in all of the 26-country signatories including the Philippines.
Asked if they are winning the battle, Department of Environment and Natural Resources-Southern Mindanao Parks and Wildlife Division chief Manuel Isip said they have a very positive outlook on their advocacy.
"We are winning the battle. We will never fail with the support of the people," Isip said.
Task Force Pawikan had been conducting information campaign in 10 coastal barangays in Davao City where sightings of marine turtles are reported.
Avila said this is to ensure that residents in the area would not harm the sea turtles but help protect them.
Next month, two turtle nests are expected to hatch at Punta Dumalag Turtle Sanctuary.
Avila said this will bring the number of hatchlings to more than 2,000 since they started their operation there.
Among the marine turtle species found in Davao Gulf are the Hawksbill, Oliver Ridley, Green Sea Turtle, Loggerhead, and the Leatherback. (BOT)
