SAN FERNANDO CITY, Pampanga — The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), local government units and residents have strengthened efforts to protect marine turtle nesting sites in Casiguran and Dinalungan, Aurora, following the discovery of turtle eggs along the province’s coast.

The DENR, through its Community Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) in Casiguran, conducted a field validation after receiving a report from a resort owner and confirmed the presence of marine turtle eggs at two nesting sites.

CENRO Casiguran Community Head Ariel Mendoza said the nests were immediately secured with plastic mesh screens to protect the eggs from disturbance and predators.

Information, education and communication materials were also placed near the nesting areas to remind residents, beachgoers and other stakeholders to avoid activities that could disturb the nests until the eggs hatch.

Mendoza urged barangay officials and local stakeholders to continue monitoring the sites and immediately report any disturbance, predation or other incidents involving the nests.

Meanwhile, the DENR and local authorities safely released a female green sea turtle (Chelonia mydas) in Sitio Kataguman, Barangay Cozo, Casiguran.

The turtle measured 42 centimeters in curved carapace length and 39 centimeters in curved carapace width. It was accidentally trapped in a fish corral owned by a resident who alerted CENRO Casiguran personnel.

DENR personnel, in coordination with the municipal environment office of the Casiguran local government and barangay residents, assessed the turtle before releasing it back into its natural habitat.

DENR Regional Executive Director Ralph Pablo commended the cooperation among government agencies, local communities and residents in protecting marine turtles and their nesting and foraging habitats.

Pablo urged communities to remain vigilant and promptly report incidents involving marine turtles, particularly accidental capture and disturbance of nesting sites.

The green sea turtle is classified as endangered on the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List and is protected under Philippine laws and regulations. (DENR-Central Luzon Press Release)