MARINE TURTLE HATCHERY - NAIC, CAVITE

I had this fascination with turtles and even tried to keep one as pet but my grandmother persuaded me for as old saying goes “it’s a Jinx” and “Bad Luck”; though I never understand the logic behind it, I still abide and let go of my turtle and replace it with mutant ninja turtle action figures. 

The Pawikans have become highly threatened for extinction, due to poaching and hunting – numbers are alarmingly dwindling. During my works for my thesis proposal, a classmate who works in Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) had my full attention with her study of Pawikan Conservation. Intrigued with her site for study of Pawikan, I inquired and learned that there was a hatchery in Cena St. Labac, Naic, Cavite. It was an odd site but theories had it that Pawikan had existence in Naic, Cavite 25 – 30 years ago, since these beautiful sea animals returns after 3 decades and go back to where they were hatched to lay eggs. Interestingly, I further learned that Pawikans are reptiles related to snakes, lizards and dinosaurs; that gender is determined through body temperature – female marine turtles are much warmer compared to male. Being cold-blooded creatures, their body temperatures fluctuate with the environment and they have a pair of lungs that need to breathe every few minutes while swimming unknown distances in the vast sea. 

Olive Ridley Turtle

200 hatchlings for Release

Marine turtles nest during the coldest months of the year to lay their eggs. According to my colleague Olive Ridley turtle sightings at Naic, Cavite was recorded as early October and November. To protect clutch off eggs, the volunteers and DENR will trace hatching site mark with disarray flipper marks on sand to collect leathery ping pong balls like eggs and transfer to hatchery center protected from predators (crabs, lizards) and poachers. After 40 – 60 days depending on sand temperature, they will hatch and subsequently released back to the sea as patrolled and guided by DENR and PAWB. Last December 16, 2012 first batch of 200 hatchlings were released and last January 18, 2013 I was able to volunteer and participated in sending of new hatched marine turtles back to their natural habitat. 

Casualties: 2 hatchlings and 3 eggs

The Author with PAWB and DENR officials

I took the opportunity to talk with PAWB and DENR representative and learned the sad truth that to date that killing of marine turtles are rampant for its meat. Likewise, the shells and skins have been used for many illegal by-products like combs, guitars and other ornaments. There are also reports of illegal poaching by neighboring countries such as Taiwan, Vietnam and Taiwan which reminded me of news report of sequestered boatloads of Pawikan (100% dead) from Chinese Fishermen from UNESCO World Heritage – Tubbataha Reef without anyone being punished despite our laws governing Philippine Sea. 

Hatchlings needs to create footprints as mark for returning home

Through this page, I would like to share important reminders from PAWB-PCP and DENR:

• Killing, inflicting injury, trading, exporting, transporting, gathering or destroying their nest, collecting, hunting or possessing of marine turtles or dugong, their meat, by-products and derivatives is punishable under Republic Act 9147.
• Use of dynamite or cyanide for fishing is strictly prohibited pursuant to Republic Act 8550.
• Do not throw garbage in rivers and seas.

• Do not remove tags (local or foreign) attached to tutrles. Copy serial number, species, when and where turtle was encountered. Send this information to PCP-PAWB or nearest local DENR office.

Contact information:
Pawikan Conservation Project (PCP)
Tel. Nos. (632)925-8946; 924-6031 to 35 local 223
Fax Nos. (02)925-8953; 924-0109
Email: pcp@pawb.gov.ph ; pawbpcp@yahoo.com