DENR airs reminders on sea turtles

CEBU, Philippines -  Residents are urged to preserve marine turtles that thrive especially in the seas of the Visayas because this particular marine life is going extinct.

 This, as Department of Environment and Natural Resources regional executive director Maximo Dichoso appreciates the group of fishermen who did not harm the two sea turtles that they found on the shores of Barangay Simala, Sibonga.

 Dichoso said the fishermen found the marine turtles at Luna Beach, North Poblacion, San Fernando after they were stranded due to the strong sea current and while looking for food.

 Locally known as pawikan, the female turtles which belong to Olive ridley and Hawksbill species were found last week.

 The Olive ridley or Chelonia mydas measured 39 inches long, 24 inches wide and with an estimated weight of 80 to 100 kilos while the Hawksbill sea turtle or Eretmochelys imbricata measured 33 inches long, 31 inches wide and with a projected weight of 60 to 80 kilos. 

 Dichoso said the Olive ridley is considered critically endangered species that is facing extremely high risk of extinction in the wild in the immediate future. 

 He also pointed out that Hawksbill is an endangered species based on the list of terrestrial species and their categories. It is not critically endangered but their survival in the wild is unlikely if the causal factors continue operating. 

 Dichoso advised the people especially those living near the coastal areas not to harm, collect or kill the sea turtles but instead learn to preserve and protect them as they play a critical role in promoting ecological balance and enhancing biological diversity. 

 “Killing, destroying, inflicting injury, trading, collecting, hunting, and possessing of these critically endangered species is punishable under the wildlife resources conservation and protection act of 2001 or Republic Act No. 9174,” Dichoso explained.  (FREEMAN)