Apo Reef Turtle Sightings Increase Amid Lockdown

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Apo Reef Turtle Sightings Increase Amid Lockdown

APO REEF TURTLE SIGHTINGS – Sightings of turtles in Apo Reef have increased amid lockdown in the said underwater ecosystem off Occidental Mindoro.

APO REEF TURTLE SIGHTINGS
SANCTUARY Apo Reef off Sablayan town in Occidental Mindoro serves as a sanctuary and nesting ground of endangered marine turtles. Turtle sightings in the reef increased when the waters were left undisturbed due to community lockdowns that restricted travel for leisure and recreation in the past months. —MABEL DEMAVIVAS/CONTRIBUTOR | Image from: Inquirer

The said turtles in Apo Reef include the critically endangered hawksbill (Scientific name: Eretmochelys imbricata) and green sea turtles (Scientific name: Chelonia mydas).

According to Inquirer, former camping sites on Apo Island, which is vastly covered with mangrove forests have become nesting grounds. Park managers are eyeing for declaring the said mangrove forests off-limits amid tourism resumption.

Krystal Dayne Villanada, Apo Reef Natural Park protected area superintendent, reported that 29 sea turtles were spotted on the beach as of the 31st of August, which is twice the 15 turtles seen inside the area last year.

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) recognized the said growth as a positive effect of closing down the park and other protected areas on March 13 amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Villanada said that the increase of numbers was “quick and a big improvement,”, adding that 21 of them already laid their eggs based on inspections of nesting spots and tracks which were left by hatchlings when they rushed back into the sea.

At the same time, the number of crown-of-thorns starfish (Specific name: Acanthaster planci), which feeds on coral polypsm was reduced, based on the report.

“We’ve had [an infestation]of the crown-of-thorns in 2018 to 2019 that rangers had to clean up 10,680 individuals. From February to March [this year], there were about 500 and nothing more since then,”

The superintendent said that the absence of tourists and underwater activities also resulted in the rejuvenation of Apo Reef.

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