by PNA
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) in Region 12 (Soccsksargen) is pushing for the declaration of a seaside village in Glan town, Sarangani province as nesting site for marine turtles.
Nilo Tamoria, DENR-12 regional executive director, said Thursday that they have endorsed a resolution passed earlier this month by the barangay council of Burias in Glan for the conservation and protection of marine turtle nesting sites in the area.
He said the move is currently awaiting endorsement and approval of the municipal government and the Protected Area Management Board of the Sarangani Bay Protected Seascape.
The official said it is important to declare the area as a nesting site to facilitate the implementation of proper protection initiatives.
In line with the move, he said the agency has established enclosures for turtle nests along its beaches.
Tamoria said they have tapped village residents to help in the monitoring of the nesting sites and the marine turtles.
“We advised them to report to the nearest DENR office any sightings of sea turtles in their areas and turn them over if caught or trapped in fish nets or cages,” he said in a statement.
The beaches of Barangay Burias have become a regular nesting site for marine turtles the past years.
The International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN) lists the sea turtle species as endangered and fast diminishing due to animal predation and human exploitation.
Burias Councilor Ali Gampal said residents are aware of the situation and are currently helping in protecting the turtles. He said most of the residents did not understand the importance of sea turtles at first but they now demonstrate concern for the marine mammal.
Tamoria said personnel from the Community Environment and Natural Resources Office in Glan has been engaging residents regarding the importance of sea turtles and its conservation.
He said they educated them about proper solid waste management, especially on the effects of plastic pollution, which is detrimental to the survival of marine wildlife.
The official said the RD Foundation, which is based in this city, has been assisting the community in the conservation of the turtles and is planning to put up a turtle hatchery in the area.
As initial intervention, the foundation provided wire mesh enclosures for the turtle nests in the area, he said.
