The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR)-13 (Caraga) released 166 marine turtle hatchlings on Sunday in coastal Barangay Manapa, Buenavista, Agusan del Norte.

The DENR-13 team was joined by personnel from the Community Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) – Nasipit, officials from the local government of Buenavista, and barangay officials of Manapa in releasing the hatchlings.

“We are monitoring at least 12 nesting sites in the coastal areas in the towns of Carmen, Nasipit, and Buenavista; our technical personnel are regularly visiting these sites,” said CENRO – Nasipit chief Nelson Caranzo in an interview on Monday.

Seven of the total nesting sites are in Carmen, three in Buenavista, and two in Nasipit, he added.

“We are also focusing our protection activities on external factors that affect the hatching of marine turtles in the area, including predators, such as dogs and other reptiles,” Caranzo said.

He also recognized the residents of coastal Barangay Manapa for their assistance in safeguarding the turtle nesting sites.

Meanwhile, the DENR-13 stated that successful hatching and release were achieved through continuous monitoring and protection of the nesting site by CENRO – Nasipit, with active participation from the Manapa community.

“This initiative forms part of a broader effort to establish Buenavista as a designated Critical Habitat, covering a proposed 891.34 hectares,” the DENR-13 said in a statement.

Barangay Manapa, it added, pledged to support conservation efforts and shift away from harmful practices such as illegal fishing and wildlife poaching.

“The Marine Turtle Conservation Program continues to promote habitat protection, monitor nesting activity, and raise public awareness on the importance of safeguarding marine life,” the DENR-13 said. (PNA)