NEWS
[AROUND BICOLANDIA] Turtles prove Masbate seas are still clean

MASBATE CITY - Endangered turtles have found a safe haven in the province of Masbate, thanks to high public awareness of conservation efforts of the city government here.

A fisherman from barangay Bagumbayan turned over one of these creatures called “pawikan” to City Mayor Socrates M. Tuason who recalled that last year, fishermen from various villagers have turned over about a dozen of these creatures to the city government.

Tuason said the turtles were caught or got entangled with fishing nets found along the shores. “Pag may nahuling pawikan pinapaalam sa amin ng nakakahuli.”

Tuason sends personnel to the areas to document the turtles’ presence. “Niri-release kaagad namin sa dagat matapos lagyan ng tag”.

Among them were Hawksbill and green sea turtles.

Experts say the presence of the marine turtles indicates that the seawater are still clean and are still rich in biodiversity, with available small fishes that serve as their food.

According to marine biologists, they were hatched along the seashore years ago and are coming back to copulate and lay eggs.

Marine turtles travel great distances to feed and grow. As hatchling, they imprint to magnetic field of the area and always go back to where they were hatched after 25 to 30 years to copulate and lay eggs.

About three decades ago, however, the turtles were hunted in the seas of Masbate or slaughtered while laying eggs on the shorelines.

In some communities today, especially in underdeveloped countries, turtle meat and eggs are still collected as food.

(EADelgado,PIA Masbate)