1. As many as four different species have nesting sites all along our coast. But in the past 10 years, their population has declined by as much as 80%. Imagine what a difference we could make if we learned to protect the marine turtles that are born on our shores.
2. Our Pawikans play a key role in promoting the ocean’s health and biodiversity, with each species fulfilling their part.
3. Five out of seven species of marine turtles could be found in the Philippines. The green and olive ridley turtles are the most common nesters, followed by the hawksbill turtles but rarely, the leatherback turtles. Only the loggerhead turtle has no record of nesting in the Philippines.
Throughout the years, Marine Wildlife Watch of the Philippines has been involved in the research and conservation of marine turtles in our country. The increase of reports of nest disturbance, strandings, deaths, and exploitation has raised the numbers of individuals, groups, and organizations that engage in marine turtle conservation.
Pawikan Watch PH aims to educate and raise awareness on the threats these marine turtles encounter in order to help lessen the dangers it causes to the marine turtle populations in the Philippines.