Turtle Islands is part of the Sulu Archipelago which is composed of
approximately 400 islands of varying shapes and sizes. It is located at
the southwestern tip of the Philippines, about 1,000 km southwest of
Manila. The municipality of Turtle Islands is right at the edge of the
international treaty limits separating the Philippines and Malaysia.
The group of islands, namely, Boan, Lihiman, Langaan, Great Bakkungan,
Taganak, and Baguan, is situated south of Palawan, northwest of the
Tawi-Tawi mainland and northeast of Sabah, Malaysia. The islands have
an aggregate land area of 308 hectares. The smallest island, the
Langaan measures about 7 hectares, while the largest, the Taganak
Island, is about 116 hectares.It was proclaimed as Wildlife Sanctuary under Proclamation No. 171
on August 26, 1999 and identified as extremely high for
biodiversity conservation. On May 31, 1996 a Memorandum of Agreement
between the Republic of the Philippines and the Government of
Malaysia was signed declaring Turtle Islands as Turtle Islands Heritage
Protected Area aiming for the conservation and protection of
the area. Turtle Islands WS is regarded as the only major nesting
ground with more than 1,000 nesters annually of the Green Turtle in the
whole ASEAN Region. There are only 10 remaining
nesting sites worldwide. The Hawksbill Turtle
also occur but with a low density nesting in contrast to the Green
Turtle. Worldwide, marine turtle populations have critically declined
hence the CITES-IUCN has declared all species of marine turtle
endangered.
On May 31, 1996 Turtle Islands was declared as Turtle Island
Heritage Protected Area through a MOA between the Republic of
the Philippines and the Government of Malaysia. It was proclaimed as
Wildlife Sanctuary under Proclamation No. 171 on August 26, 1999 and
identified as extremely high for biodiversity conservation.
Comparison with other similar properties: Turtle Islands WS is regarded as the only major nesting ground with
more than 1,000 nesters annually of the Green Turtle
in the whole ASEAN Region. There are only 10 remaining nesting sites
worldwide. Around Great Bakkungan Island, the Malay Box Turtle which
was never seen at other islands has been observed visiting its shores.
Presence of sea snakes and terrestial snakes have also been recorded in
the island. Locally, the Apo Reef, Occidental Mindoro- proclaimed marine and
national park possess a wide array of habitats which are valuable for
scientific studies and a perfect destination for environmental tours.
Numerous species of fauna and flora are discovered inhabiting the sandy
beaches, beach forests, coral reefs, algae flat, mangroves and sea
grass of the reef. The reef's underwater terrain boasts for its unique
coral walls, caves and drop offs. They are home to some species of
mantas, sharks, school of jacks and snappers, and groups of tropical
aquarium fishes and hundreds more marine species. The island as well
serves as a nesting ground for numerous species of migratory and
resident breeder birds, and a rich territory of endemic wildlife and
plant life species such as Nicobar pigeons, sea turtles, sea grass and
algae.
