La Union, isang nesting site para sa mga Pawikan
La Union, isang nesting site para sa mga Pawikan
Transcript
00:00 Surfing is not the only thing that can be done in La Union
00:03 because as a nesting site for fish,
00:06 you can witness the daily disappearance of these fish
00:10 going to the sea during nesting season.
00:13 Let's take a look at the story of Rod Laguzan.
00:16 It is true that the beauty of our country's nature is inexhaustible.
00:24 Wherever you go, there is always something to grow and flourish.
00:28 Here in the town of San Juan, La Union,
00:31 aside from the beautiful waves that are perfect for surfing,
00:34 there is a blessing to bring the nature to the place.
00:37 This is a nesting site for fish,
00:39 so the place is witness to the many fish that are caught here
00:43 and the first to swim to the sea.
00:46 Now that the nesting season started in September
00:49 and will last until this month, March,
00:51 almost every day there are hatchlings that are lost by the Kurma group
00:55 or Coastal Underwater Resource Management Actions
00:58 that was passed for the conservation of fish in the area.
01:01 We had the opportunity to witness the start of the travel of fish.
01:11 These hatchlings are called Olive Ridley, an endangered species
01:16 and they need to swim towards the sea
01:19 even if they are being brought back to the sea.
01:22 The sea turtles have a built-in GPS.
01:25 They are able to read magnetic fields.
01:28 Their first steps, which is usually from their nest to the water,
01:32 are the most important for them
01:34 because they can remember the coordinates of their home beach.
01:37 So in the future, when they are adults,
01:39 some 10 to 15 years from now,
01:41 they will return to this very same beach to lay eggs.
01:44 Instead of losing, Thai Ambassador to the Philippines, Tull Trisurat,
01:48 I think it's very good to create the awareness of the people
01:53 in protecting the endangered species.
01:57 It's my first time as well in participating in this
01:59 and I'd like to encourage more cooperation between the organization
02:05 that protects the endangered species between Thailand and the Philippines.
02:09 And this year is a very special year for Thailand and the Philippines
02:12 as we celebrate the 75th anniversary between Thailand and the Philippines.
02:17 At the same time, a big girl named Olive Ridley was brought back to the sea
02:21 where she has been stranded for 30 to 40 years.
02:25 This accident happened last week and she had to be hospitalized.
02:30 Thai Ambassador also mentioned the turtle named Tuk Tuk,
02:33 a popular vehicle in Thailand.
02:35 On the weekend, even though they are stranded in the sea,
02:38 they cannot breathe underwater.
02:40 So if they are caught in the net, it's possible that they can drown.
02:44 So this turtle was partially drowned,
02:46 but through treatment, at least it was able to recover.
02:50 And now we brought it back to the sea.
02:52 Tuk Tuk was also given a Philippine tag
02:54 that will serve as a reminder that wherever she goes,
02:57 she will know that she is from the Philippines.
02:59 It contains a country code and serial number.
03:03 And with the help of providing information and having a livelihood,
03:07 poaching or catching and killing of turtles was also ended.
03:11 Because the former poachers are now turtle patrollers
03:14 and one of the ways to protect them.
03:17 The only way to protect sea turtles is to protect their habitat.
03:20 So it's also our habitat.
03:23 And sea turtles are our partners in maintaining the balance of our ocean.
03:28 So the only way to protect them is to protect our environment.
03:32 In the Department of Tourism,
03:34 they are continuously initiating on maintaining sustainability
03:38 along with ways to encourage tourism.
03:42 What we are doing this year is,
03:44 for example, when you go to San Juan La Union,
03:47 people used to drink.
03:49 But when you go to La Union now,
03:51 you will notice that you are not allowed to go jet skiing in the water,
03:53 you are not allowed to throw garbage in the sea,
03:55 you are not allowed to eat in the sea,
03:57 you are not allowed to go Yosi and throw a bat in the sea,
04:00 and most importantly, you are not allowed to go ATV or ride a motorcycle in the sea.
04:03 This is to protect the turtles that are hatching in San Juan,
04:07 along with the activities of the beach clean-up.
04:11 One of the most important parts to protect the environment
04:14 is the people's discipline.
04:17 Rod Laguzad, for Pambansang TV in Bagong, Philippines.