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    Rising Tides and Temperatures - The Fight To Save El Nido's Marine Turtles

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    Tita of Kidapawan
    The Marine Turtle Nest Temperature Monitoring Project in El Nido, Palawan has been actively monitoring nesting patterns and temperatures. This season saw 160 nests monitored, with 16 having temperature sensors. Data showed trends of shorter incubation periods above 30°C and higher mortality. Nest temperatures still yielded predominantly male hatchlings. Looking ahead, the project aims to establish seasonal trends to inform conservation efforts and address threats such as poaching and disturbances from all-terrain vehicles.

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    Rising Tides and Temperatures - The Fight To Save El Nido's Marine Turtles

    Uploaded by

    Tita of Kidapawan
    12 views7 pages
    The Marine Turtle Nest Temperature Monitoring Project in El Nido, Palawan has been actively monitoring nesting patterns and temperatures. This season saw 160 nests monitored, with 16 having temperature sensors. Data showed trends of shorter incubation periods above 30°C and higher mortality. Nest temperatures still yielded predominantly male hatchlings. Looking ahead, the project aims to establish seasonal trends to inform conservation efforts and address threats such as poaching and disturbances from all-terrain vehicles.

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    The Marine Turtle Nest Temperature Monitoring Project in El Nido, Palawan has been actively monitoring nesting patterns and temperatures. This season saw 160 nests monitored, with 16 having temperature sensors. Data showed trends of shorter incubation periods above 30°C and higher mortality. Nest temperatures still yielded predominantly male hatchlings. Looking ahead, the project aims to establish seasonal trends to inform conservation efforts and address threats such as poaching and disturbances from all-terrain vehicles.

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    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as pdf or txt
    12 views7 pages

    Rising Tides and Temperatures - The Fight To Save El Nido's Marine Turtles

    Uploaded by

    Tita of Kidapawan
    The Marine Turtle Nest Temperature Monitoring Project in El Nido, Palawan has been actively monitoring nesting patterns and temperatures. This season saw 160 nests monitored, with 16 having temperature sensors. Data showed trends of shorter incubation periods above 30°C and higher mortality. Nest temperatures still yielded predominantly male hatchlings. Looking ahead, the project aims to establish seasonal trends to inform conservation efforts and address threats such as poaching and disturbances from all-terrain vehicles.

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as pdf or txt
    of 7

    Adapting to the Tide: Marine Turtle Conservation in

    the Amidst a Changing Climate


    The long shorelines of El Nido are not just a haven for tourists but also home to nesting marine
    turtles. These ancient mariners, who've graced our oceans for over 100 million years, face
    unprecedented challenges. From rising sea levels to changing temperatures, the threats are
    multifaceted. But in the heart of El Nido, a dedicated team is working tirelessly to ensure these
    creatures get a fighting chance.

    A Project with a Purpose


    The Marine Turtle Nest Temperature Monitoring Project of the El Nido Marine Turtle
    Conservation Network has embarked on monitoring nesting temperatures of marine turtle nests
    in El Nido last season. Their mission? To understand the impact of climate change on these
    threatened species and to develop strategies to protect them.

    Turtles and Temperature


    Like most reptiles, marine turtles undergo temperature-dependent sex determination (TSD),
    where incubation temperatures determine whether hatchlings develop into males or females.
    Generally speaking, an incubation temperature between 26-28oC produces more males, while
    30-34oC results in more females. Temperatures below 25oC and above 34oC are also fatal.
    Aside from sex and mortality, it can also affect incubation rates, hatching and emergence
    success, size and swim and crawl performance.

    While various factors affect incubation temperature, ambient temperature undoubtedly plays a
    role. With climate change continuously progressing at an alarming rate, ambient temperature is
    increasingly becoming a concern, seeing how we’ve been beating global average temperature
    records left and right.

    The Findings
    The recent season saw 160 unique nests across El Nido’s managed beaches. Of these,16 nests
    were equipped with sensors to monitor incubation temperatures. The data revealed some
    interesting trends. Hatchlings would hatch and emerge less than 55 days from being laid for
    nests averaging 30oC and up, while those at or below 28oC won’t do so until after 60 days.
    Higher mortality was also seen on nests that incubated above 30oC. Generally speaking, most
    of the nests still incubated at temperatures expected to yield predominantly male hatchlings.
    There was also no clear indication of temperature effects on hatchling size.
    Looking Ahead
    As we enter a new nesting season, we also enter the second year of sand temperature
    monitoring. We also take with us the new knowledge that shading won’t be necessary until the
    hotter summer months. The Network is excited to start seeing seasonal trends that can better
    inform their work over time. We are also retrofitting some of the hatcheries to be more
    climate-smart, which we’ll tell you more about in future issues.

    Challenges Remain
    The Network has made commendable progress in understanding and conserving marine turtles.
    However, challenges remain. Poaching remains a significant threat, especially on unmanaged
    beaches. The incentive program has been instrumental in curbing this in managed beaches, but
    there's still plenty of work to secure other areas. The bigger, more urgent issue is the
    disturbance caused by all-terrain vehicle (ATV) rentals on key nesting sites, especially Nacpan
    Beach. These ATVs compact the sand, making it difficult for turtles to lay and hatch their eggs.
    The tire tracks can also obstruct (or run over) hatchlings trying to reach the ocean, reducing
    their survival chances. While operating such vehicles on the beach is illegal in the municipality,
    operators are not backing down as long as tourists continue to patronize them. Addressing
    these challenges requires a concerted effort from the community, local authorities, and tourists.
    Balancing tourism with conservation is essential to ensure the continued survival of marine
    turtles in El Nido.

    Final Thoughts: The Ongoing Battle for El Nido's Marine Turtles


    The Marine Turtle Nest Temperature Monitoring Project is a testament to the perseverance and
    dedication of the Network to conserving the species. While the challenges are many, the
    commitment to saving these ancient mariners is unwavering. The journey to protect El Nido's
    marine turtles is long, but with continued efforts and support, there's hope for a brighter future
    for these magnificent creatures.

    Follow @enmtcn on IG and El Nido Marine Turtle Conservation Network on Facebook for more
    updates.
    Mark’snotes:

    Marine Turtle Nest Temperature Monitoring Project | El Nido, Palawan

    The Marine Turtle Nest Temperature Monitoring Project in El Nido, Palawan,


    spearheaded by Jamie Anne L. Dichaves & Dan Clifford Abid, has been actively
    monitoring the nesting patterns and temperatures of marine turtle nests in the region.
    Here's a summarized overview of the project's findings and activities:

    ​ Project Outcomes (2022-2023)


    ● The project has been in full operation this season, with temperature
    sensors and personnel actively monitoring nests.
    ● A decline in nesting rates was observed compared to previous seasons.
    ● Out of 149 unique nests in the three main hatcheries (Duli, Lio, and
    Nacpan), 21 were monitored using 6 temperature sensors.
    ● The report focuses on temperature data from 16 nests and hatchling
    morphological data from 12 nests.
    ● Genetic and dead hatchling samples were collected but not analyzed due
    to limitations.
    ​ Nest Count (2022-2023)
    ● Nest relocation is essential due to rising sea levels and poaching threats.
    ● Most marine turtle eggs in the monitored beaches require relocation.
    ● The incentive program has been expanded to include non-fisher locals.
    ● The season recorded a total of 160 nests, with 154 being olive ridley nests
    and 6 being hawksbill nests.
    ​ Nest Temperature
    ● Embryonic development of marine turtle eggs is influenced by incubation
    temperature.
    ● Marine turtles exhibit temperature-dependent sex determination.
    ● Nest temperatures are influenced by various factors, including ambient
    temperature, depth, shading, and more.
    ● The project aims to understand the impact of rising temperatures on
    marine turtle development.
    ● Temperature data was analyzed against incubation rates, egg mortality,
    and hatchling morphology.
    ​ Challenges and Limitations
    ● The project faced challenges such as poaching, predation by pests, and
    unauthorized nest relocations.
    ● Data analyzed had some limitations, including missing data and gaps in
    ambient temperature recordings.

    This project provides valuable insights into the nesting patterns and challenges faced by
    marine turtles in El Nido, Palawan. The data collected will aid in future conservation
    efforts and strategies to protect these endangered species.
    Marine Turtles Under Threat: The ATV Menace in El Nido

    Marine turtles, one of the ocean's most ancient and majestic creatures, are facing a new
    threat in El Nido, Palawan. A conservation group, the El Nido Marine Turtle Conservation
    Network, has raised alarms over the operation of all-terrain vehicle (ATV) rentals on
    Nacpan Beach, a popular tourist destination. These ATVs, often rented out to tourists,
    have been disturbing the marine turtle nesting sites, especially during the crucial nesting
    season.

    Jamie Dichaves, a member of the El Nido Marine Turtle Conservation Network,


    highlighted the dangers posed by the ATVs. Photos shared on their Facebook page
    show the perilous journey of newly-hatched turtles trying to navigate their way back to
    the sea, hindered by ATV tracks. The constant threat of these vehicles accidentally
    running over the hatchlings is real. Moreover, the tire tracks left behind by the ATVs
    make it challenging to locate turtle nests that need to be relocated for their safety.

    Another concerning observation is the compaction of the sand due to the constant
    driving of ATVs on Nacpan Beach. Turtles require soft and loose sand to lay and hatch
    their eggs. The compacted sand poses a significant challenge for them. Despite several
    attempts to halt ATV operations on Nacpan Beach, they continue to operate, much to
    the detriment of the marine turtles. Dichaves recounted an incident where ATV renters,
    after witnessing turtles hatching, paused only to take pictures and then continued
    driving, with little regard for the hatchlings making their way to the ocean.

    Protection and Call to Action

    The situation at Nacpan Beach is dire and requires immediate attention. While local
    authorities have made efforts to restrict ATV operations, more stringent measures are
    needed. The protection of marine turtles and their nesting sites should be a priority.
    Tourists and locals alike must be educated about the importance of these creatures and
    the role they play in the marine ecosystem.

    We urge everyone to support the efforts of the El Nido Marine Turtle Conservation
    Network and other conservation groups. Let's come together to ensure that marine
    turtles have a safe environment to nest and thrive. Every small action counts. Whether
    it's spreading awareness, volunteering for beach clean-ups, or simply respecting the
    nesting sites during visits, we can all make a difference.
    For those interested in diving deeper into the conservation efforts and learning more
    about the marine turtles of El Nido, the recent report on the Marine Turtle Nest
    Temperature Monitoring Project offers valuable insights. The time to act is now. Let's
    protect our marine heritage and ensure that future generations can witness the beauty
    and majesty of marine turtles in El Nido.

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