Philippine  Turtles Vanishing into Chinese Soup Pots

By Michael Bengwayan

Manila, Philippines (August 23, 2001) --- The Philippine sea turtles particularly "pawikan" or leatherback type (Dermochelys coriacea) face possible extinction, largely because of a growing demand for sea turtles as a popular dining delicacy and source of traditional medicines.

Only 100,000 are believed left of this turtle species. Scientists reported during the last international workshop on turtles called Powdermill 1V Conference in Laughlin, Nevada, USA said "there is a turtle crisis" with five of the eight sea turtle types in dire need to be protected. Aside from the pawikan, which is the largest sea turtle reaching 650 to 1,200 pounds, the loggerhead (Caretta caretta) weighing 300 - 350 pounds, the Pacific Ridley (Lepidochelys olivacea) which is the most hunted, the green sea turtle and the hawkbill which weighs 150 - 200 pounds; are all threatened.

Thousands of these turtles end up as cuisines in Chinese restaurants and as medicine in drug counters of Hongkong, China, Philippines, Taiwan, Indonesia, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam and Burma.

"We are on the brink of losing a group of animals that has managed to survive the upheavals of the last 200 milion years including the great extinction episode that eliminated the dinosaurs", Dr. Russel Mittemier, president of Conservation International and an expert on turtles said. The turtle decline is primarily driven by human consumption. The wealthy in many countries, particularly Southeast Asia, eat turtles as luxury food item. But many of the poor in the said region as well as in the Mexican peninsula and in Africa, rely on turtles for subsistence.

In the Visayas and Mindanao of the Philippines, not only turtles but even their eggs are hunted without pause. Much are eaten and the rest sold to fishermen and traders who peddle these to Chinese restaurants.

"Already, 50 per cenbt of all sea turtles are at risk due to this type of exploitation", Dr. Peter Pritchard, vice chairman of the World Conservation Union (IUCN) Turtle and Tortoise Specialist group said. "For instance, about 400,000 is all that is left of the green sea turtle and the leatherback "pawikan", less than 100,000. In 1970 alone, more than one million Pacific Ridleys were massacred, Pritchard said.

The Southeast Asian trade is the most dangerous source of threat, driven by the huge and growing demand in China, where traditions of consuming turtles for food and medicine are experiencing a resurgence with increased affluence and the recent convertibility of the Chinese currency. The most desired, the "pawikan", fetch as much as $US1,000 in Southeast Asia markets. Many recent discoveries of new turtle have occurred in open markets and restaurants, rather than in the field. The turtle trade has already hit depleted populations in Southeast Asian countries. In the islands surrounding Palawan of the Philippines like Busuanga, Calamian, Linapacan, pandanan and Balabac, all previously turtle havens, turtle species are seeing their last days. Turtle hunters from Malaysia as well as Filipino poachers have even invaded the Kalayaan group of islands together with far sea-faring Vietnamese.

Mittemier said that over seven million turtles of several species are exported every year to China, South and East Asia and even the United States and Europe. Many of these are covertly transported and smuggled, while some pass through the paid eyes of government environment officers. In the Philippines and Indonesia, tracking down poachers is difficult as transport areas are numerous and often unknown by government and wildlife conservation protection agencies.

"Worldwide, eight sea turtle species are endangered, 55 land turtles have no protection, and 25 species are nearing extinction . In the light of  the severity of the problem, the massacre of turtles should be stopped.," Mittermier said.  The destruction of the amphibians by man is greater than that posed by acid rain, water pollution, earth warming and microscopic parasites,  Dr. Pritchard added.

The manner of killing turtles was likewise brought to conservationists' attention. Turtles, according to the Protected Areas and Wildlife Bureau (PAWB) of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) are killed senselessly. Poachers and turtle meat traders often butcher live turtles. Others are tossed in flames alive. The giant amphibians suffer before dying.

Conservationists are calling for governments to strictly enforce trade laws, regulations and captive breeding. They also want to hold dialogues with Chinese authorities and other exporting nations to limit their demand for turtle as food and medicines or put quotas in their import demands.