The World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), an international conservation organization, lamented the Philippine government’s lack of resolve to mete out justice against foreign poachers who blatantly disregard laws to ensure the preservation of marine life.
The WWF made the statement as it condemned the recent seizure of what could be one of this year’s largest illegal wildlife hauls off northern Palawan.
Authorities recovered a total of 101 hawksbill turtles (Eretmochelys imbricata) from 13 Vietnamese aboard Q.ng 91234-TS, five nautical miles east of Cabaluan Isle last week.
“The 13 Vietnamese are just the latest in a long, long line of foreign poachers who have intruded into Philippine waters to violate both local and international laws,” said Greg Yan, information, education and communication officer of WWF-Philippines.
“The funny thing is, not one case has even led to a serious conviction,” he said.
The WWF said hawksbill turtles grow to a meter in length and weigh as much as 80 kilograms. These turtles were said to have once plied the Indo-Pacific and Atlantic regions. – Katherine Adraneda