DENR XII heightens sea turtle conservation in Glan town

GLAN, Sarangani--- The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Region XII is now establishing enclosures for turtle nests in its effort to conserve this marine wildlife in Glan, Sarangani Province.

This came during the observance of World Wildlife Day on March 5 at Barangay Burias here.

The activity was participated by coastal dwellers and local government unit of the said barangay together with RD Foundation, Incorporated, the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) arm of RD Group of Companies.

Barangay Burias, a coastal barangay has been reported to have been visited by nesting turtles on its beaches.

Kagawad Ali Gampal said the turtles have been nesting in the area long before. “The residents of Barangay Burias do not understand the importance of sea turtles at first. It is only recently that the people in the coastal community demonstrate concern for the marine mammal.”

DENR XII Regional Executive Director Nilo B. Tamoria has appealed to those living in the coastal areas to report to the nearest DENR office any sightings of sea turtles in their areas or turn over if caught or trapped in fish nets or cages.

Earlier this week, the Barangay Council of Burias also passed a resolution declaring all its beaches as Marine Turtle Nesting Site.

The resolution is expected to be endorsed by the municipal government and  approved by the Protected Area Management Board (PAMB) of Sarangani Bay Protected Seascape.

Meanwhile, the Community Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) in Glan also facilitated a forum with the community on the importance of sea turtles and its conservation considering Barangay Burias is a nesting site for sea turtles.

Topic on solid waste management was also discussed especially the effects of plastic pollution which is detrimental to the survival of marine wildlife.

Meanwhile, the RD Foundation, Inc is currently assisting the community in the conservation of turtles and is planning to put up turtle hatchery in the area.

As an initial intervention, the foundation provided the barangay some wire mesh enclosures to protect turtle nests.

The International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN) lists the sea turtle species as endangered.

It said all species of marine turtles are fast diminishing due to animal predation and human exploitation. (DENR RSCIS XII)

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