The said turtle specie is considered as the second smallest in the world (Kemp’s Ridley is the smallest and reportedly in a brink of extinction) that weighs 75 to 100 pounds (34 to 45 kilograms).
According to a wildlife website, since 1999, over 10,000 dead turtles have washed ashore on India’s beaches each year. These deaths have been attributed to drowning in shrimp trawl nets. Because this species congregates in large numbers off of nesting areas, they are more prone to mass mortality events.
In Central America, it is estimated that more than 60,000 sea turtles, mainly olive ridleys, are caught and drowned in shrimp trawl nets each year.
Meanwhile, the week-long celebration will be highlighted by ceremonial releasing of pawikan hatchlings in the blue waters off to West Philippine Sea, street dancing competition where participants are dressed gaudily in turtle-like clothing, walk for a cause, trade fair, beach volleyball, graffiti painting contest, sand castling contest, coastal clean-up project, seminars and other colorful activities.
The event is a joint project of the provincial government headed by Bataan Governor Albert Garcia through the provincial tourism office, Bataan Tourism Council Foundation, Inc. (BTCFI) headed by the governor’s mother, Vicky Garcia, Municipal Tourism Council and the Municipal Government of Morong.
