SAN JOSE, Antique – The Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Office (MENRO) of this capital town is urging the Sangguniang Bayan to pass an ordinance protecting the nesting ground of green sea turtles along their coastal area.
Madelyn Pagunsan, San Jose MENRO, said a local ordinance is necessary so that the nesting area in Barangay Funda-Dalipe would not be disturbed.
“We were able to release 326 hatchlings of green sea turtles between Aug. 28 and Oct. 14,” she said.
The hatchlings, which they discovered along the shorelines, were believed to have been hatched by the same green sea turtle that kept on coming back because of the abundant seagrass in the area, Pagunsan added.
“By nature, green sea turtles keep on coming back in the area where the previously laid eggs,” she said.
Green sea turtles, however, are also sensitive. They return to the sea once there is a sound disturbance in the area like the barking of dogs.
“Environmental cleanliness is also necessary for the green sea turtle to thrive. We would like to encourage the residents along the coastal area to strictly observe it,” Pagunsan added.
If a law is passed protecting the nesting area of those endangered species which will make the turtle and her hatchlings keep on coming back, their presence might even become a tourist attraction.
Mayor Elmer Untaran said the awareness of residents of Barangay Funda-Dalipe on the protection of turtles is already high.
“The residents now know that it is prohibited to catch, culture or slaughter the turtles,” he said. (PNA)
