The National Museum of the Philippines (NMP) has expressed concern over the number of stranded endangered marine turtle species in Bohol in just a month.
In July, the NMP recorded seven strandings of marine turtles a few days apart:
Green sea turtle in Talibon on July 1.
Leatherback sea turtle in Talibon on July 12.
Green sea turtle in Garcia Hernandez on July 12.
Unidentified marine turtle in Naatang, Jagna on July 16.
Green sea turtle in Bunga Mar, Jagna on July 20.
Green sea turtle in Guinsularan, Duero on July 25.
Green sea turtle in Maribojoc town on July 26.
Several stretches of beaches in Bohol are known nesting sites for green and hawksbill turtles. The Bohol Sea is also known for the common occurrence of these species, together with other large marine vertebrates such as whales, dolphins, whale sharks, and manta rays.
According to NMP, two of the seven sea turtles were examined for necropsy by the NMP in Tagbiliran City led by Senior Museum Researcher Dr. Jo Marie Acebes and volunteers from Balyena.Org.
Though there were no obvious external signs of injury or lesions, the NMP said the stomach and intestines of the leatherback sea turtle found in Talibon had three small plastic bags and a foreign egg-like object, respectively.
While the intestines of the green sea turtle stranded in Maribojoc were found to have several small pieces of assorted plastic objects, over a meter long nylon fishing line, unraveled threads of nylon rope, candy wrapper, part of a biscuit wrapper, and several shorter strands of thin nylon lines.
Two of the other marine turtles stranded in Talibon and Duero were also both reportedly found to have tumor-like growths, according to NMP.
“Although the plastics found inside two of the animals cannot be directly linked to their strandings and eventual deaths, it certainly affected the overall health of the animals. These events are stark reminders of how plastic trash and other non-biodegradable garbage in the seas are harming marine life in this sea with one of the highest biodiversity in our country,” it said.
The NMP reminded local authorities about the importance of preserving the carcass of stranded animals immediately after death. Freezing is the best method of preservation until necropsy can be conducted.
“These incidents also call for training citizen scientists who can alert us and dispatch a detailed report immediately,” the NMP said.