AROUND 243 new-laid eggs of Ridley Sea Turtles found in front of a beach resort in Boracay Island were relocated by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR)-Western Visayas to a higher ground due to the rise in sea level.
Haron Deo Vargas, a marine biologist of the Community Environment and Natural Resources Office in Boracay, said the new-laid eggs are being threatened by the sea level rise, which could affect the survival rate of the turtles.
Vargas said one sea turtle laid 135 eggs on November 10. Another set of 108 eggs was found nearby in front of a resort on November 17.
The first set of eggs was transferred to Cove 3 area, while the second set was transferred to a higher ground.
"The 135 hatch are considered the largest clutch so far of Ridley eggs recorded in this resort island," Vargas said.
He said they needed to transfer the eggs also due to possible disturbance that may be caused by tourists in the area.
"Already based on our own observation, Ridley turtles in Boracay only survived less than one percent. For 10,000 eggs, for example, only a less of the 1,000 eggs survived," Vargas said.
"Among the problems involved were predation, diseases and at times anthropogenic. It is a global problem which also concerns global warming," he said.
Crisostomo Aquino, a businessman and climate change advocate, sent photos showing eroded trunk of coconut trees, which indicates the rise of sea level.
Aquino said climate change is already evident in Boracay and that everyone must be aware of. (SunStar Philippines)