SAN JOSE, Occidental Mindoro (PIA) — Fifty-four olive ridley sea turtles or “pawikan” hatchlings were recently released into the ocean in the municipality of San Jose.
Two batches of hatchlings were released, 36 in Barangay Pag-asa and 18 in Barangay Bubog, led by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), with the Local Government Unit and the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG).
Municipal ENR Officer Iny Lourdes Peroy said the fisherfolk found sea turtles laying eggs along the seashore in Pag-asa in November and immediately reported it to the authorities.
“Pumunta ang mga staff namin doon at nilagyan ng markings, tinandaan yung site, at nilagyan na namin ng net the following day and since then, from time to time chine-check ‘yong lugar kung saan nakita ‘yong pangingitlog ng pawikan,” Peroy said.
(Our staff immediately went to the site and put up markings and nets. Since then, we have been checking the area from time to time where the sea turtle laid her eggs.)
The locals and the PCG also worked with the MENRO to monitor the site.
On the other hand, fisherfolk in Barangay Bubog found hatchlings along the coast of the barangay on January 9 and were released into the ocean on the same day.
Another sighting was reported along the coast of Aroma Beach in Barangay San Roque. The eggs are expected to hatch on February 10, said Peroy.
She added that the locals showed great awareness of the importance of taking care of marine life through immediate action.
“Natutuwa kami dahil ang mga fisherfolk at mga locals ay aware sila sa kahalagahan ng mga pawikan na iyon sa ecosystem natin kaya nakakatuwa lang na sana mas marami pang mag reports ang aming mataganggap at mas marami pang pawikan na katulad n’on ang ma-irelease natin sa kagaratan,” she said.
Olive ridley is one of five species of marine turtles found in the Philippines. According to an article published by DENR in 2019, the species is declared threatened or vulnerable.
“So far, as of this moment ay hindi pa [endangered] pero sa patuloy na illegal activities ng mga tao, time will come na they might be endangered too, yung ganong uri ng pawikan,” Peroy stressed.
The MENRO expects more reports of olive ridley sea turtle sightings as it usually lays their eggs around November and December and hatch in January to February. (DSG/PIA MIMAROPA – Occidental Mindoro)
Photos courtesy of Occidental Mindoro Information Office
