A record 60 marine turtle nests documented in Occidental Mindoro this season have produced thousands of hatchlings, highlighting the impact of sustained conservation efforts in protecting threatened marine species, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) said.
In a social media post on Wednesday, the DENR-Mimaropa said it recorded the highest number of marine turtle nests in the SAMARICA coastal landscape, covering the municipalities of San Jose, Magsaysay, Rizal and Calintaan, from July 2025 to March 2026.
The agency said the milestone reflects the results of intensified coastal patrols, monitoring efforts and partnerships with local communities in protecting marine turtle habitats.
Conservation teams monitored 5,157 eggs, with 3,733 hatchlings successfully emerging and released, for a 73.93% emergence success rate.
The hatchlings included 2,687 olive ridley turtles (Lepidochelys olivacea), 647 green turtles (Chelonia mydas), and 399 hawksbill turtles (Eretmochelys imbricata).
The DENR said these three species depend on Philippine coastal ecosystems for nesting and survival.
The season also marked several firsts for the area. San Jose recorded the first successful nesting and hatching of green and hawksbill turtles, while Calintaan documented its first green turtle nesting event in seven years.
On July 2, the DENR released 81 critically endangered hawksbill turtle hatchlings in Calintaan, marking the municipality’s first documented release of the species.
The agency said the achievement was the result of months of work by conservation teams that monitored nesting areas, protected eggs and helped ensure hatchlings reached the sea.
The DENR also credited the collaboration among its Community Environment and Natural Resources Offices, local government units, Bantay Dagat volunteers, coastal communities and other partners in protecting key nesting habitats.
It urged the public to report sightings of nesting turtles, hatchlings, stranded marine turtles and other wildlife incidents to the nearest DENR office or local authorities.
“Every report and every act of stewardship contributes to protecting the country’s rich marine biodiversity and ensuring that future generations will continue to witness one of nature’s most remarkable journeys,” the agency said. (PNA)