There was once a sailboat enthusiast who found himself alone, floating in the middle of nowhere after encountering a sudden sea storm. With his boat capsized, this shipwreck survivor was given a new lease of life by a benevolent marine turtle. A two-day piggy back ride brought this lucky fellow back to land and he lived happily ever after.
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In terms of conservation, are Filipinos willing to pay for the protection of their endangered species?
To find out, the Economy and Environment Program for Southeast Asia (EEPSEA) funded a comparative study that was conducted not only in the Philippines but also in China (Beijing), Thailand (Bangkok) and Vietnam (Ho Chi Minh and Hanoi).
The result of the study was published in the book, “Marine and Coastal Ecosystem Valuation, Institutions, and Policy in Southeast Asia.” The title of the paper was “Mobilizing Resources for Marine Turtle Conservation in Asia: A Cross-Country Perspective,” with Orapan Nabangchang-Srisawalak, Jin Jianjun, Anabeth L. Indab, Truong Dang Thuy, Deildre Harder and Rodelio F. Subade as authors.
“Respondents were provided information about the importance of marine turtles to coastal and ocean ecosystems and the threats and risks of extinction,” the researchers explained. “Once the hypothetical marine conservation program was introduced, respondents were asked whether they would be willing to contribute to the program by paying a monthly surcharge on their electricity bills for a period of 5 years.”
During the surveys, the respondents were informed that the electricity authority in their respective areas would simply collect and transfer the money to the Regional Marine Turtle Conservation Trust Fund and would not be involved in any way in the administration of the fund.
In the Philippines, the survey was conducted in Davao City which was described as “the smallest city” – in terms of population (with “about one million people”). In comparison, the most populous city was Beijing in China with “over 15 million people.”
“Respondents ranked ten public policy issues: economic problems, poverty, education, health, crime/violence/inequality, government/good governance, infrastructure, environment, terrorism, and relations with other countries,” the paper disclosed.
“While environmental concerns do not feature as priority concerns, over 70% of the respondents in all four countries agree that environmental problems are not properly addressed,” the study noted.
Davao City ranked first among those people who were asked if they have seen a live marine turtle. At least 67% of the respondents said yes while Bangkok (57%) came next, then Beijing (53%) and finally Ho Chi Minh/Hanoi (24%).
With 9% of the respondents replied yes, Davao City also ranked among those who have eaten marine turtle eggs and meat. Bangkok registered 7% and Beijing had only 3%. Ho Chi Minh/Hanoi had the least: 2%.
Davao City, however, had the lowest rank among those respondents who were asked if they know that marine turtles lay their eggs on land: 77%. Beijing had 80%, Ho Chi Minh/Hanoi, 84% and Bangkok, 85%.
Now, on the highlight of the study. The respondents were asked on why they would contribute money for the establishment of a marine conservation fund. Forty-one percent from Davao said that “the marine turtle is an important animal and should be protected.” Beijing registered 48% while Bangkok’s was 39% while Ho Chi Minh/Hanoi settled for 34%.
Only six percent from Davao City believed that “marine turtles can only be protected through the collaboration of several countries.” In comparison, 10% believed in Bangkok, 19% in Beijing and 29% in Ho Chi Minh/Hanoi.
Sixteen percent of respondents from Davao City responded yes to this reason: “It is high time that the people in East Asia do something concrete about protecting the marine turtles since this is the center of illegal trade in the world.”
Both Bangkok and Ho Chi Minh/Hanoi registered the same figure (9%) while Beijing had the lowest: 4%.
In its conclusion, the paper said: “Conservation agencies could play a role by working with governments to set up trust funds in which public funds could be deposited with confidence.” It also said: “As incomes rise and governance improves, Asia’s ability to pay for conservation will increase.”
Marine turtles, whose origins are steeped in antiquity and known locally as “pawikan,” are considered “living fossils.” Marizal Calpito and Lourdes P. Calacal, in an article published in Canopy International, wrote: “Some 200 million years ago, marine turtles develop as the earth throbbed with dramatic geophysical changes surviving as their living conditions changed, adapting to the natural rhythms of pre-historic life. Down through the ages, they thrived, remaining much the same as their hardy ancestors.”
Of the eight species of marine turtles known to man, five of them can be found in the Philippines. These are the Green Sea (known in the science world as Chelonia mydas), Hawksbill (Eretmochelys imbricate), Loggerhead (Caretta caretta), Olive Ridley (Lepidochelys olivacea) and Leatherback (Dermocheyls coriacea).
The three others, which can’t be found in the Philippines, are the Kemp’s Ridley (Lepidochelys kempi), Flatback (Chelonia depressa), and Black Sea (Chelonia agassizi).
Unfortunately, all eight species are listed under the Appendix I of the Convention on International Trade of Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, which means the trade of these species and subspecies is strictly “prohibited except for educational, scientific or research and study purposes.”
The Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources has also classified the eight species as endangered. This is so because “their populations are in danger of extinction and whose survival is unlikely if the causal factors continue to operate.”
Since 2001, hunting, sale and killing of marine turtles have been banned in the Philippines. The Wildlife Conservation Act, or Republic Act No. 9147, penalizes violators with a fine of up to P100,000 and one year in jail.
Despite sincere efforts by the government and environmentalists to save marine turtles from extinction, the decimation of the endangered species continues unabated.
The main primary reason for the decline of marine turtle population is catching the reptiles alive. They are valued for their precious shells. “It was beauty that all but killed the Hawksbill turtle,” wrote one environmental journalist. “Polished and carved, the black-and-yellow plates on its back were long sought for tortoise-shell jewellery and combs.”
The gathering of pawikan eggs, which are considered by Chinese as aphrodisiac, has contributed to the rapid disappearance of marine turtles. The eggs, which look like ping-pong balls, are also prize as energizing protein. But marine scientists dispel the myth. They said pawikan eggs are just like chicken eggs and nothing more.
Pollution has been cited as another prime factor why pawikan are on the verge of extinction. Included in the millions of tons of garbage dumped annually into the sea are plastic materials which marine turtles mistake for jellyfish, squid, or some other food. Once digested, plastic wastes can block the turtle’s digestive tracts, causing starvation and ultimately death.
The rapid development of beach resorts for the tourism industry has destroyed the nesting beaches of marine turtles. Sadly, they often travel huge distances only to find human development on or near their nesting sites.
“Unless we, Filipinos, seriously take on the task of protecting the much-endangered
marine turtles, these ancient creatures will soon be gone (from our waters),” Haribon Foundation, a local environmental group, said in a statement. – (To be concluded)
