Marine turtle stranding and nesting in Malita, Mindanao, Philippines

Abstract

Marine turtle stranding and nesting from April 9, 2004 to June 23, 2009 were the focus of the investigation. It involved recording and compilation of marine turtle stranding and nesting, conducting of tagging and participating in the stock enhancement through subsequent release of turtles to the sea. Seventeen adult marine turtles were tagged and released. A total of 296 hatchlings were also released. Four species of marine turtles were observed in the coastal waters of Malita, Davao del Sur, namely: olive ridley (Lepidochelys olivacea), hawksbill (Eretmochelys imbricata), green turtle (Chelonia mydas) and the leatherback (Dermochelys coriacea). Hawksbill and the olive ridley obtained the highest recorded stranding followed by the green turtle. The rarest stranding was that of the leatherback. Higher strandings were observed during the warmer months of March, April, May and September. Strandings were low for the colder months of December, January and February. Lower hatching and survival rate were observed for turtle eggs that were transferred to drier areas.