Turtles born in beach resort released to their habitat

SUBIC BAY FREEPORT— Beach goers on Saturday released 96 olive ridley sea turtle (Lepidochelys olivacea) hatchlings into the Subic Bay area, a known nestling haven for marine turtles (“pawikan”).

Ameth de la Llana, head of the ecology department of the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA), said several adult olive ridley sea turtles laid eggs at the All Hands Beach resort inside this free port in September.

“This was the first batch of baby sea turtles from the hatchery of All Hands Beach that was released to their natural habitat during the cold season,” De la Llana said.

All Hands Beach is among the seven major beach areas here that have been identified as nesting sites for marine turtles.

At least 50 resort guests, including children, gathered at the beach around 9 a.m. to set the newly hatched turtles free and watch the animals race to the sea for the first time.

“Only 1 percent of these hatchlings will survive after being released to the natural habitat. Let’s do our part to protect them by not throwing garbage into the sea,” De la Llana told the crowd.

She said an adult sea turtle laid 105 eggs in September but only 96 were hatched on Friday. Aside from the olive ridley sea turtles, green sea turtles (Chelonia mydas) and hawksbill sea turtles (Eretmochelys imbricata) have been seen in Zambales waters, according to Marife Castillo, officer of community environment and natural resources office in Olongapo City.

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has been recognizing All Hands Beach for its conservation efforts to protect marine animals, including sea turtles and their habitat, Castillo said.

The SBMA has been carrying out a “Guard My Nest” sea turtle conservation program to make Subic establishments more pawikan-friendly.

The SBMA Ecology Center has also identified the beaches of Waterfront area, Dungaree, Edgewater, Grande Island, Camayan and Minanga as the other nesting areas for sea turtles. —ALLAN MACATUNO