The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) in MIMAROPA has recorded the highest number of marine turtle nests ever documented in the SAMARICA coastal landscape of Occidental Mindoro.

CALAPAN CITY, Oriental Mindoro — The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) in MIMAROPA has recorded the highest number of marine turtle nests ever documented in the SAMARICA coastal landscape of Occidental Mindoro, highlighting the success of sustained conservation efforts and stronger community participation in protecting endangered sea turtles.

Samarica is the acronym of the towns of San Jose, Magsaysay, Rizal, and Calintaan.

The Community Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) in San Jose documented 60 marine turtle nests during the July 2025 to March 2026 nesting season, including 44 nests in Calintaan and 16 in San Jose.

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READ: DENR releases 88 Olive Ridley turtle hatchlings in Occidental Mindoro

The abundance of nests has been attributed to intensified coastal patrols, habitat protection, and close collaboration with local government units, Bantay Dagat volunteers, coastal communities, and partner organizations across the SAMARICA coastline.

In a DENR video, dozens of newly hatched marine turtles were seen making their way across the beach to return to the sea, which the agency described as renewed hope for the survival of threatened marine turtle species.

On July 2, DENR personnel released 81 critically endangered Hawksbill turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata) hatchlings in Calintaan.

Several other milestones arose from the nesting season. For the first time, San Jose documented the nesting and hatching of both Green turtles (Chelonia mydas) and Hawksbill turtles, while Calintaan recorded its first Green turtle nesting event in seven years and its first documented release of Hawksbill hatchlings.

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Overall, the monitored nests contained 5,157 eggs, producing 3,733 hatchlings, which has an emergence success rate of 73.93 percent.

Of the hatchlings released, 2,687 were Olive Ridley turtles (Lepidochelys olivacea), 647 were Green turtles, and 399 were Hawksbill turtles.

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READ: Occidental Mindoro sees 1,609 Pawikan hatchlings, a record high

DENR said the results underscore the effectiveness of long-term habitat protection, regular monitoring, and community-based conservation initiatives.

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Marine turtles are among the world’s most threatened marine species due to habitat loss, marine pollution, illegal egg collection, accidental capture in fishing gear, and the impacts of climate change./coa