Philippine E-Journals

POPULATION SURVEY OF MARINE TURTLES IN BORACAY ISLAND, PHILIPPINES USING A CITIZEN SCIENCE APPROACH

Bryan S. Madera

 

Abstract:

In recent years, an increasing number of research projects involved nonscientist members of the community as ‘citizen scientists’ in science research projects. This study was done with the following objectives: 1) to identify individual marine turtles in Boracay Island; 2) to identify specific areas around Boracay island where marine turtles were sighted; and 3) to demonstrate the application of citizen science as a participatory approach for studying the marine turtle population in a specified location. Invitations to participate in the turtle identification project were sent to dive shops and disseminated through social media. Divers contributed photos used for photo identification of individual marine turtles using the unique pattern of scutes on the left side of the marine turtle’s head. Through citizen science, this study was able to identify ten resident marine turtles (nine live and one dead) over a three-month period (February – April 2016). Eight turtles were encountered underwater during dives and two were found stranded. In total, five green turtles (Chelonia mydas) and five Hawksbill turtles (Eretmochelys imbricate) were identified. Most of the turtle encounters were in Baling-Hai Reef, suggesting that this reef has an important role as a possible habitat or feeding ground. Considering the recent move taken by the government to temporarily close Boracay to tourists to allow rehabilitation and restoration of the island, the identification of marine turtles in certain locations underscores the importance of restoring and protecting not only the beaches but also the reefs and surrounding areas for the protection of the marine turtle population. Through information provided by citizen science and evidence generated through photo-identification of marine turtles, proof of existence of the marine turtles in Boracay should spur the LGU and the community to initiate and sustain conservation efforts such as the creation and implementation of Marine Protected Areas (MPA) in areas where marine turtles abound.