Balicasag Island Marine Turtles 101

 

The fotos are owned by alonaboholdiversclub, nationalgeographic, and wordwilfie.

This week, I had the opportunity to take part in a field study on the Balicasag Island Tourism System with the Assessment Team, which is composed of provincial, municipal, barangay, and CENRO specialists. The activity is part of the Governance for Climate and Disaster Resilience (Gov-CDR) project, funded by Global Affairs Canada, implemented in the Philippines by Alinea, with the Advocates for Development Management and Sustainability (ADMS) as the risk lead local resource partner. I am grateful for the overwhelming support from the LGUs, especially the community stakeholders. I’m putting together some Q&A about the marine turtles on the island to satisfy my own curiosity, and I’m sharing these for anyone with similar interests. 

Question 1: Why are marine turtles important to Balicasag Island?

Answer: Marine turtles are not just animals we see while snorkeling—they are ecosystem caretakers. Green turtles keep seagrass healthy, which supports fish, protects shorelines, and stores carbon. Hawksbill turtles help keep coral reefs alive by controlling sponges that smother corals. If turtles disappear, reefs weaken, seagrass dies, fish decline, and tourism suffers. 

Q2: What turtle species are commonly seen in Balicasag?

A: Green Sea Turtle – feeds mainly on seagrass (most common). Hawksbill Turtle – feeds on sponges in coral reefs (less common but very important). Both are endangered and protected by law. 

Q3: Do turtles lay eggs on Balicasag Island?

A: There is evidence that turtles lay eggs on the island. However, Balicasag is also recognized as a feeding and resting area. This still critical because turtles need healthy feeding grounds to a) Gain energy, b) Survive long migrations, and c) Lay eggs successfully elsewhere. If Balicasag becomes unhealthy, turtles may never reach their nesting beaches. 

Q4: How does plastic pollution harm turtles?

A: Plastic hurts turtles in many ways:

·  They eat plastic, thinking it’s food, leading stomach blockage and then to slow death.

·  They get tangled in plastic ropes, nets, and packaging.

·  Plastic damages seagrass and reefs, destroying turtle food.

·  Plastics carry toxins that weaken turtles and reduce reproduction.

·  Plastic pollution makes turtles less able to survive climate stress. 

Q5: Why is plastic a climate problem too?

A: Because plastic:

·  Worsens the effects of storms and flooding (it spreads everywhere after typhoons)

·  Weakens ecosystems that protect us from storm surge

·  Makes recovery after disasters slower and more expensive

·  Plastic is a climate risk multiplier. 

Q6: What is Crown-of-Thorns Starfish (COTS), and why is it a problem?

A: COTS are starfish that eat live coral. When they become too many (outbreaks), they can:

·  Destroy large areas of reef

·  Reduce fish and turtle habitat

·  Make reefs less attractive for tourism

·  They don’t attack turtles directly—but they destroy the turtles’ environment. 

Q7: How do COTS outbreaks happen?

A: They increase when:

·  Water becomes nutrient-rich (from waste, sewage, runoff)

·  Reefs are weakened by heat stress and bleaching

·  Natural predators are removed due to overfishing 

Q8: Who eats COTS in nature?

A: Natural predators include:

·  Giant Triton Snail (very important but rare)

·  Large reef fish (wrasse, triggerfish, pufferfish)

When these predators are protected, COTS outbreaks are less severe. 

Q9: How does protecting turtles help people too?

A: Protecting turtles means:

· More fish and healthier reefs

· Stronger protection from waves and storms

· Stable tourism income (especially for youth and women)

· Cleaner seas and safer snorkeling

Healthy turtles = healthy community.

Q10: What can we do to protect turtles?

A: You can make a real difference by:

· Reducing plastic

o   Refuse single-use plastics

o   Bring reusable bottles and containers

o   Help with cleanups (especially after storms)

· Being responsible in the sea

o   Don’t touch turtles

o   Keep distance (no chasing or blocking)

o   Avoid standing on corals or seagrass

· Supporting reef health

o   Respect no-take zones

o   Report COTS sightings to authorities

o   Support reef and seagrass restoration

· Speaking up

o   Educate tourists and peers

o   Support women-led and youth-led conservation groups

o   Participate in barangay and island planning activities 

Q11: Why are turtles called “climate guardians”?

A: Because turtles help protect:

·   Seagrass, which stores carbon

·   Reefs, which reduce storm damage

·   Food systems, which support island life

When turtles are healthy, the island is more resilient to climate change. Saving turtles is not just about wildlife. It’s about protecting your island, your future livelihood, and your resilience to climate change. (Dr. Alan Salces Cajes, freelance researcher, trainer and teacher; chair and co-founder, Advocates for Development Management Sustainability, Inc.)