seaturtle.org :
MTN :
ARCHIVES :
Sign In
Marine Turtle Newsletter 107:12, © 2005
Sea Turtle Nesting Sites at Lian, Batangas, Philippines
De La Paz, R., Neri-Arboleda, I. & Vergara, M.D.
Department of Biology, De La Salle University, 2401 Taft Ave., Manila (E-mail: delapazr@dlsu.edu.ph; arboledai@dlsu.edu.ph)
Lian, a fishing and agricultural village with a total population of 36,000 is located northwest of Batangas Province, Talin Bay, Philippines (14.0°N, 121.6°E). Sightings of sea turtles have been reported in the area specifically in the barangays of Lumaniag and San Diego. However, no formal data collection on turtles at this site has ever been made. An ethnozoological survey was carried out in March 2004 to assess the importance of the area for sea turtle conservation. A series of formal, structured interviews recorded on cassette tapes was undertaken and covered 20 respondents. Colored photographs of green (Chelonia mydas), hawksbill (Eretmochelys imbricata), olive ridley (Lepidochelys olivacea), leatherback (Dermochelys coriacea) and loggerhead (Caretta caretta) turtles were shown to the interviewees to aid them in the identification of sea turtle species sighted in the area. Data gathered included identification of sea turtle species, specific location of nesting sites, month of nesting, estimated number of eggs/clutch, beach characteristics such as beach approach, beach front condition, presence or absence of vegetation, slope, substrate and particle size. A total of four nesting sites were identified as current nesting sites and three of these were
positively correlated with green turtles. Loggerhead turtles were reportedly observed in the waters of the nearby town of Kay Reyna. It is possible however that this identification is not accurate, as the loggerhead has often been confused with other species. Average clutch size was ca. 100 eggs/clutch, and eggs were mostly sold or eaten by the townfolks.
Survey results confirmed the occurrence of sea turtles in Talin Bay, Lian, Batangas. The fact that these turtles nest in these areas with relatively dense human population makes an important case for conservation. A sustained educational campaign should be actively pursued within the communities in Lian to alleviate problems of sea turtle egg harvesting and preserve the areas preferred by turtles for nesting.