Difference between revisions of "Tawi-Tawi Province, Philippines"

'''Sea turtles lay over 1.4M eggs in Tawi-tawi'''

*Source: http://www.philstar.com/nation/article.aspx?publicationsubcategoryid=200&articleid=771806

*January 27, 2012 01:19 PM

:by Jlyne Ubiña

MANILA, Philippines – More than one million green turtle eggs were laid last year on Baguan Island in Tawi-Tawi, achieving an all-time high record of nesting since 1984, the Conservation International Philippines announced today.

A total of 14,220 green turtle nests were recorded in Baguan in 2011 with a total number of eggs surpassing 1,440,000.

“1.44 million green turtle eggs in one year is an astounding number for a nesting beach that’s only a little over one kilometer in length. This definitely presents great hope for boosting green turtle populations,” said CI Philippines Country Executive Director Romeo Trono.

Figures from the DENR show that since the previous high of 12,311 turtle nests recorded in 1995, Baguan’s nesting records have been declining and dropped to as low as just over 4,000 nests in 2003.

Poaching by foreign fishermen, egg harvesting by local communities for food and trade, destruction and disturbance of habitats through illegal fishing methods and weak law enforcement were identified as the causes of the decline.

“The increasing nest numbers show that when turtles are protected on their nesting beaches and in the water for long enough, they will recover,” said Dr. Bryan Wallace, director of Science for the Marine Flagship Species Program at CI.

Meanwhile, The Philippine Turtle Islands’ enforcement team strengthened its marine management by providing trainings to park wardens, law enforcers and community volunteers. It also includes deployment of officers and personnel from the Philippine Coast Guard and the Philippine Marines to the area.

 

 

 

“The hatchlings that emerge from the Turtle Islands still face great risks throughout their lives as they journey through the ocean, but at least here in the Turtle Islands, we are determined to provide them with a good start,” added Trono.