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Wednesday, March 08, 2006
Why we have to celebrate a year for the marine turtles
THERE are only seven species of the marine turtles known to exist in the world. Five of these species are plying the Philippine waters. Out of the total unknown number of these marine turtles the Philippine government had already tagged 13,896 turtles of varying sizes per report of the DENR, indicating that our seas are a hospitable setting for the turtle's life cycle.
These marine species are part of our ocean diversity thus, the DENR had made a conservation project dubbed as the Pawikan Conservation Project (PCP) under the Protected Areas and Wildlife Bureau.
This year we celebrate this as part of a Memorandum of Understanding signed by 23 countries in the Indian Ocean and Southeast Asia in consonance with the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals. This agreement also known as IOSEA Marine Turtle seeks to unite all signatory states to work for the conservation and replenishment of the depleting marine turtle populations.
This years theme is, "Cooperating to Conserve Marine Turtles - Our Ocean's Ambassador". It aims to awaken the awareness on the importance of turtles in our ocean's ecosystem.
Regional Executive Director (RED) Julian D. Amador reported that according to the PCP the five species of marine turtles that are known to thrive in the country are the green turtle (Chelonia mydas); hawksbill turtle (Eremochelys imbricate); olive ridley turtle (Lepidochelys olivacea); loggerhead turtle (Caretta, caretta); and leatherback turtle (Dermochelys coriacea).
There are several areas in the country considered as nesting habitats of marine turtles. These are the Turtle Islands in Tawi-tawi, a declared wildlife sanctuary through Presidential proclamation 171, which is a nesting haven for green turtles. The beaches of Zambales, Bataan, Ilocos Sur, and Batangas are frequented by olive ridley turtles. Hawksbill turtles are nesting at Punta Dumalag in Davao City, island Garden City of Samal in Davao del Norte, El Niño and Tubataha Reef National park in Palawan, Apo Reef in Sablayan, Oriental Mindoro and Magsaysay, Misamis Oriental.
In Western Visayas, hawksbill turtles are known to thrive mostly in the shores of antique, Guimaras, San Joaquin and Miag-ao, Iloilo and some in the shores of Capiz. There are also sightings in the beaches of Negros Islands.
RED Amador also informed the public that under Republic Act No. 9147 known as the Wildlife Protection Act, it prohibits the hunting, killing, and collecting marine turtles and their by-products like meat and eggs and shells. Fine ranges from P100,00 to P1 million and or imprisonment from six to twelve years.
Marine turtles are being hunted for their meat known to have an aphrodisiac content, its shells are being used as ornaments, combs, bags and jewelries while its eggs are also being poached for its exotic taste and effect. Some collectors are hunting turtles for use as house décor especially when they are being stuffed. "These wanton abuse of these marine turtles is the main factor of the species depletion," Amador said.
Many folk tales had said that second to the dog, marine turtles are man's best friends because it had saved many lives of human beings who had met accident at sea. Whether these stories are true, it is our duty to be concerned with these animal species for the use of our future generations. Don't you know that out of the 100-150 eggs that may be hatched in one setting, it would be fortunate if two or three newly hatched turtles will survive the dangers it may face at sea because they are good food for bigger fishes in the vast ocean. Others may not survive due to weather conditions that create big waves washing these poor little turtles ashore. (Press release)
(March 8, 2006 issue)
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