Chinese Poachers Caught Red Handed in Palawan

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The vigilance of several fishermen and the power of telecommunications cut short a poacher group’s bid to harvest and kill endangered sea turtles off Cadlao Isle in northern Palawan.

At around 9:30pm on 7 April, a composite Municipal Environmental Desk Officer (MEDO) and Joint Task Force Malampaya (JTFM) team responded to SMS reports that an unidentified speedboat was fishing right inside El Nido’s municipal waters. Despite the massive thrust provided by three 60-horsepower outboard engines, the speedboat was overtaken and apprehended near Cawayan Island.

Seven Chinese nationals and 13 dead green sea turtles (Chelonia mydas) greeted the composite team. A live turtle was found struggling amidst the fishers’ nets. It was quickly tagged and released by the staff of the El Nido - Taytay Managed Resource Protected Area Office (ENTMR-PAO). Fishing paraphernalia, including a five-kilometre long net, were found aboard the unmarked craft.

Foreign turtle poachers are no strangers to El Nido’s rich waters, dubbed as the ‘Poacher’s Paradise’ for the frequency of foreign intrusions. Despite constant vigilance from local government and military units plus the support of WWF, poachers continue to slip in to hunt for sea turtles – the shells of which are used for tortoiseshell – a material used as far back as the ancient Greek and Roman eras to fashion jewellery, combs and brushes.

Last 29 August, 101 dead hawksbill turtles (Eretmochelys imbricata) were recovered from Vietnamese fishing vessel Q.ng 91234-TS five nautical miles east of Cabaluan Isle, El Nido.

On 6 July 2008, four Vietnamese aboard vessel Q.ng 95986 were arrested for alleged poaching off Guntao Isle, El Nido. Four other fishing boats, believed to be Vietnamese, escaped.

On 13 April 2008, a 23-man Vietnamese poaching detail aboard the Quang Mei was arrested in Balabac, southern Palawan. Retrieved from the craft were assorted fish and a sea turtle.

Such blatant intrusions do much to undermine the strong enforcement efforts initiated by the local government. Says El Nido Mayor Leonor Corral, “For years we have invested in the protection of Palawan’s rich marine resources – the source of food and livelihood for thousands of our people.”

The Chinese poachers, identified as Lu Chong, Huang Chia Phong, Seo Mu, Lu Cheng, Young Huo Pao, Li Pang Yao and Tan Sia Fong – will be charged for violating the Philippine Wildlife Conservation and Protection Act (RA9147) – penalties for which can incur a fine of up to one million pesos, coupled with a six-year jail term. They may also be charged with illegal incursion and breaking the Fisheries Code of 1998 (RA8550).

Says WWF Project Manager RJ de la Calzada, “These are but the latest in a long line of poachers who encroach upon Philippine waters to plunder our nation’s dwindling marine resources. Each turtle killed is a fast-forward button towards extinction. We have to raise the stakes and be more serious in persecuting offenders if we are to stamp out this trade.”

Adds JTFM Commander Esteban Castro, “As a collateral task, we shall continue our support for the protection of northern Palawan’s marine sanctuaries. These loathsome and illegal acts only abuse the country’s natural wealth.”

The bodies of the 13 green sea turtles are now bound for an El Nido burial lot – where the remains of 101 hawksbill turtles await their fallen brethren.

source: WWF Philippines