May 167 sea turtles ang pinalaya ng mga tauhan ng Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) sa karagatang sakop ng Barangay Puting Buhangin, San Juan Batangas noong Linggo (Enero 1,2024).
Napag-alaman sa 512th Coast Guard Auxiliary Squadron na ang mga Olive Ridley sea turtles ay naklasipika bilang “vulnerable” species ng International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List noong 2007.
“With sea turtle populations facing numerous threats, the noble cause is a crucial step in fostering a sustainable marine environment in San Juan,” ayon sa pahayag ng PCG.
The “512th Coast Guard Auxiliary Squadron has a proud legacy in turtle conservation, dedicated to safeguarding coasts and promoting marine well-being. Through various initiatives, they make a positive impact on the ecosystems they serve, embodying a commitment to environmental conservation,” dagdag pa ng PCG.
Noong 2022, ang Pilipinas ay itinanghal na 7th best snorkeling destination sa mundo dahil sa taglay nitong reefs at marine life.
Sinabi pa ng mga tourist guide na ang mga sea turtles ay dapat na i-trato bilang co-inhabitants sa halip na atraksiyon.
