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
No comments:
Post a Comment