by Ramon Jorge Sarabosing
Philippine Daily Inquirer
April 14, 2002

"Where in the country can you find five species of endangered marine turtles in one spot?“ asked Rowan Byrne, an Irish marine and freshwater biologist, as he points at a map of the Hinatuan Bay off the town of Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur. The bay is bounded by the Pacific Ocean and a coastline of white beaches, forested limestone formations and mangrove trees.

Thirteen islands and islets dot the bay, which is also home to the dugong (sea cow), based on a recent sighting by Bryne. “Hinatuan is a paradise of marine creatures. That is a fact and we must preserve the area,” Byrne said. For him, he has only scratched the surface.

After an initial recording and monitoring, he is convinced that the bay is a natural breeding and feeding ground for marine turtles. The species include the Green Turtle, Loggerhead, Hawksbill, Leatherback and Olive Ridley.

 “There’s probably nowhere in the country that is a territorial domain of five marine turtles species out of seven known species in the world. Olive Ridleys and Hawksbills are the most endangered and they are found here.” He said.

The turtles are seen anytime of the year, from Baculin Point to the Mahaba Island, including the Singuroy Island, Campa, Harip, Portlamon, Pangasinan Island, Talisay, Cambatong, Loyola and San Juan. All these places, including the islands of Macahurom, Tipdos and Tidman, are considered breeding sites. There is an extensive volume of hatchlings in most of the island villages.

“In one fishing village, the turtles are collectively kept as pets. Families build ponds for them.’ Bryne said.

Most often, the turtles are caught while swimming or are trapped in fish corrals (a V shaped floating fishing structure set up in open sea).

So what’s in Hinatuan Bay that attracts turtles?

"It’s the sandy white nesting grounds and extensive marine vegetation, mainly the seagrass (lusay)," said Byrne.

Aside from studying the pawikan and dugong during his free time, the Irish expert works with the Center for Empowerment and Research for Development (CERD), a non-government group committed to assisting coastal villages in economic development and environmental protection. His colleagues help him record and tag the turtles. So far, more than 20 turtles have been tagged and released back to the sea.

Byrne is tying up with the Pawikan Conservation Project (PCP), an agency attached to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources in Manila.

The group came to Hinatuan late last year to conduct a study. Byrne said “The study has push for a need to pursue an in-depth and institutionalized study of the pawikan here to ensure their survival. There are serious environmental factors that may cause the disappearance of all marine creatures of the bay if nothing is done this early.”

He is pleased that Environment Secretary Heherson Alvarez whom he met recently, acknowledges the group’s effort and has asked to be kept abreast of developments. “With the secretary’s backing and concern, I see hope that the issue of survival and study of the pawikan and dugong in the area will be addressed,” Bryne said.

On April 22 and 23, the PCP and the CERD will conduct a training workshop on the conservation and management of marine turtles and dugong for DENR Regional personnel, local government units, non-government and people’s organizations, the academe and other sectors. Earlier, Bryne started an education thrust by persuading the villagers to learn more about how to take care of the pawikan.

The people, particularly the children responded positively, he reported. At one instance, the village took a day off to release a number of hatchings and a few mature ones. “The families who keep the pawikan volunteered to free them, and no less than the mayor, Dr. Alicia Momongan, joined the activity.”

“Rowan has done a lot in terms of consciousness raising and we support him.” Momongan said. “We never knew anything much about the marine bounty that we have here until he called our attention. His study and recommendation will no doubt benefit the local communities.”

She could be speaking for all Filipinos.