ANTIQUE – The Community Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) of Culasi town urged coastal residents to immediately report to the nearest Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) office sightings of marine turtle nests to protect the eggs until they hatch.
Ninety-one Olive Ridley turtle eggs (Lepidochelys olivacea) were discovered on the coasts of Barangay Gua, Barbaza town on Nov. 27.
CENRO-Culasi received information from barangay officials that newly laid marine turtle eggs were seen along the coasts of Barangay Gua.
The eggs were transferred to a much safer location – at the beachfront area of barangay kagawad Peter Amabran’s residence – where it will be monitored by the staff up to its hatching period.
CENRO-Culasi was grateful to the residents who spotted the mother marine turtle crawling back to the sea and immediately reported it to the barangay officials.
Based on Section 27 of the Republic Act 9147, also known as the Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act, collecting, hunting, and possessing wildlife and their by-products and derivatives are prohibited.
Anyone found guilty of violating the wildlife law shall be imprisoned for a maximum of two years and be fined up to P200,000.
“We urge the public, especially those living near the coastline, to report if there are sightings of marine turtle nests in your nearest DENR office,: stated the CENRO Culasi./PN
