Dugong Dive Center Blog

Northern Palawan Turtles mating and nesting season is around Dec. to Feb. Every year, turtles come in the night to the beaches of Dimakya Island / Club Paradise and dig holes to lay down about a hundred eggs per nest. This year (2010-2011) eight nests have been placed just in front of the guest rooms and hatched safely. The Dugong Dive Center Staff put a fence around the nest to protect the eggs from the predators ( Monitor Lizard, Birds and Crabs ). After about 3 to 4 weeks the baby turtles hatch and are guided to the sea. Some of each batch stay in a small pool where they get food to grow a bit stronger, they will be released in small groups later on. The kids are the one who release them. This is a project to increase the survival rate because by nature only 1% survive. Five species of sea turtles have been recorded in the Philippines (only the green and hawksbill turtles are known to nest in the country ). One of the biggest is the leatherback turtle . All turtles belong to the endangered species and are protected. The first protected marine animal by law in the Philippines is the dugong (1992), the second is the whale shark (1995). Diving in the Philippines, the place where evolution is still forming new species, a must for every diver. Especialy Busuanga, Coron, Palawan where you find everything for a diver's heart; shipwrecks from WWII, Dugongs, well protected Coral Gardens, Wall and Drift dives.... D.F.

Another Turtle story from last year: Back in the Wild by Janet Fahrenbach, Tangay ‘Y Ang Laud Calamian A female hawksbill turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata) measuring 45cm long and 40.5cm wide was released from the shores of Club Paradise Resort (Dimakya Island, Coron, Palawan). The Turtle Release Team, headed by CENRO Felizardo B. Cayatoc and Ms. Brenda Ermita, took custody of a hawksbill turtle one early morning of Sept. 2, 2010. This turtle was brought by a certain fisherman to Hotel Michelangelo (Coron Poblacion) some eight (8) months ago. From the Poblacion, the team headed to the designated area of release, which is known to have less disturbances and is routinely monitored. Aboard M/B TASHINA, the team reached Dimakya Island at exactly 1100H. To ensure minimum stress to the turtle, the team immediately conducted a 15-min IEC campaign on turtle conservation (and identification) before an audience composed of resort staff and guests. Shortly before the release, a DENR PCP tag (PH 0255E) was fastened to the turtle’s left front limb by DENR personnel Alexis Bianzon and Anthony Castro. Tagging is done to identify a marine turtle as an individual and provide information on habitat residency, movement patterns, reproductive life-history, and strandings. The turtle found its way back to the sea at exactly 1130H, with Club Paradise RM Loida Almeñana leading the release. There are 7 marine turtle species in the world. Of which, 2 species are known to nest in the country; the green and the hawksbill. Turtles are vulnerable in all its life stages, from egg to hatchling to adult. This is the reason why all 7 species are in danger of getting extinct. To help in saving this endangered creature, please do not patronize turtle byproducts like bracelets, carapace guitars- nor take them to your home as pet- for their home is the sea. Report dead, captured, or injured marine turtles to: DENR-CENRO and/or the PCGA Wildlife Rescue Hotline (0908510171). APPRECIATION goes out to the following for causing the return of this magnificent creature to its home. Palawan Governor Hon. Baham Mitra, Alberto of Hotel Michelangelo, DENR-CENRO, Philippine Coast Guard Auxiliary, Club Paradise Resort, Dugong Dive Center