Research, conservation and management of marine turtles in the Philippines

Abstract

The Philippines has accorded special importance of undertaking research programmes and conservation efforts in the management of turtles in the country. The paper describes the population and distribution of the various species of turtles that land in the Philippines: (Chelonia mydas), hawksbill (Eretmochelys imbricata), loggerhead (Caretta caretta), olive ridley (Lepidochelys olivacea) and leatherback (Dermochelys coriacea). The Philippines-Sabah Turtle Island has been considered as one of the 16 major rookeries of marine turtles in the world and the only remaining major nesting area of green turtles in the ASEAN region. Among the major ongoing conservation and management projects include population studies, information education campaign, turtle monitoring and protection, web pages and satellite telemetry projects, Turtle Island Heritage Protected Area (TIHPA) and the Turtle Islands Integrated Conservation and Development Project.