PUERTO PRINCESA CITY, Palawan -- Governor Jose Alvarez signed here Wednesday afternoon a memorandum of agreement (MOA) establishing the Philippine Marine Turtle Protected Area Network (PMTPAN) in Palawan.
The signing of the agreement was meant to set up a safe haven for marine turtles in the Sulu-Sulawesi Seascape, which is within the National Integrated Protected Areas System (NIPAS) Act, said provincial information officer Gil Acosta Jr.
“This aims to have a sheltered sanctuary for marine turtles, which are considered to be endangered,” Acosta said.
The network will include the El Nido-Taytay Managed Resource Protected Area (ENTMRPA) and Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park (TRNP) in the province for marine turtle conservation and protection.
According to the Marine Wildlife Watch of the Philippines (MWWP), five marine turtles are considered endangered and critically endangered in the country, needing utmost protection.
Endangered are the green turtle (Chelonia mydas), loggerhead turtle (Caretta caretta), olive ridley turtle (Lepidochelys olivacea), and leatherback turtle (Dermochelys coriacea).
The hawksbill sea turtle is the only critically endangered but has been observed to be thriving in the TRNP, according to its management.
“Named after their beak-like mouth that is used for crushing, biting and tearing off their favorite food – the sponges – hawksbills are otherwise highly valued for their shells,” said the TRNP.
“In Tubbataha, hawksbills are protected and happy. Divers observe these charismatic marine animals reaching into crevices of coraf reefs, searching for food and feeding on sponges, algae and marine invertebrates. In so doing, they free up space for settlement of other organisms, such as reef-building corals and support healthy reef growth,” added the TRNP.
The MOA signing was witnessed by Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Officer Felizardo Cayatoc, Palawan Council for Sustainable Development Staff Executive Director Nelson Devanadera and representatives of the GIZ-Sulu-Sulawesi Seascape Project and Conservation International. (PNA)
Photo courtesy of Palawan PIO
