CITY OF SAN FERNANDO–Environment authorities have expressed alarm over the proliferation of an invasive species of turtle that now threaten Central Luzon’s local fish population and other aquatic animals.
A growing population of the invasive Chinese softshell turtle, scientific name Pelodiscus sinensis, prompted officials from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources to create a task force that will look into the animal’s distribution, feeding habits and reproductive characteristics.
Maximo Dichoso, executive director of the DENR in Central Luzon, said his office received complaints from fishpond owners and operators about the turtle preying on local fish species, and bangus and tilapia fingerlings in fishponds.
“The Chinese softshell turtle has been classified as an invasive alien species (IAS) introduced in the country in the ‘90s,” Dichoso said, even as he warned the public about propagating or raising the animal as pet.
Today, the reptile is considered a threat to local biodiversity and a pest in the multi-million fish industry of Pampanga, Bulacan and Bataan.
Fishermen and fishpond owners from the towns of Arayat, Candaba, San Luis, Minalin, Macabebe and Apalit in Pampanga likened the turtle menace to the “golden kuhol” that wreaked havoc in rice farms during the 1980s, reported Arthur Salazar, deputy DENR director for protected areas, wildlife and coastal zone management service (PAWCZMS).
As this developed, the DENR ordered a team of biologists and conservation experts to conduct a six-month study to determine the impact of the softshell turtle on the environment and the local fishing industry of the affected provinces, and to identify wildlife management interventions from the DENR.
“We want to determine the rate of reproduction of this turtle species and come up with a regional policy on the allowable quota for its collection either for food or export,” Dichoso said, noting that some private individuals have expressed willingness to “harvest” the turtles for export.
He said strong market demand for turtle meat in China and other Asian countries will open a highly lucrative and viable business opportunity among wildlife collectors in the affected provinces.
But while the reptile poses a threat to local biodiversity, there is also a need to regulate its collection and trade to avoid unnecessary competition among individuals issued with Wildlife Special Use Permit, and to ensure a sustainable turtle population without affecting the local fish industry, he added.
In Pampanga alone, three individuals have been issued permits to collect a combined 36,820 heads of live turtles this year, or about 30,700 kilos of turtle meat. Last year, 349,170 heads of live turtles, or 236,250 kilos of turtle meat were also harvested.
He said the DENR welcomes information that would shed light on the range and behavior of the reptile and urged the public to contact the nearest DENR office if there are sightings of the animal or if nesting sites are found.
The Chinese softshell turtle, according to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations (UN), is found in several countries, including China, Taiwan, Vietnam, Japan and Russia where it is considered a native “delicacy” and made into turtle soup. In Japan, turtle meat is stewed with noodles and served as a winter delicacy.
A long history of the turtle being used as food in most Asian countries where it was introduced made it difficult to determine the extent of the reptile’s native range, although it is known to inhabit brackish water, rivers, lakes, ponds, canals and creeks with slow currents.
The Chinese softshell turtle is carnivorous and aggressive, preferring to forage at night to feed on fish, crustaceans, mollusks and insects.
The DENR is closely monitoring at least 15 invasive alien species of flora and fauna that are invading Philippine forests and lakes, including the highly aggressive Matica plant, known as “Buyo-buyo”, that has reportedly invaded banana and cassava plantations in the country.
A flowering shrub native to South America, “Buyo-buyo” has been found to suppress the natural regeneration of forests, and to colonize vacant agricultural areas and gaps in forest areas.
Also in the IAS watchlist of the DENR is the African bullfrog and African snail that feed on native wildlife species and unsustainably compete for nutrients and habitat with the local varieties.
Earlier, DENR Secretary Ramon Paje launched the four-year project, “Removing Barriers to Invasive Species Management in the Production and Protection Forests in Southeast Asia,” funded by the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) and the Global Environmental Facility (GEF) to shield the country’s forest ecosystem and agricultural areas from the threats of invasive alien species. ●Charlene A. Cayabyab

http://www.headlinegl.com/foreign-turtle-specie-threatens-local-fish-industry/

Frequently visited resort hotel in Pampanga Angeles City Clark Freeport Zone shares news, articles, suggestions and ideas on matters that might enhance your visit to Subic and Clark Pampanga for vacation and travel, as well as to organize, plan or attend a corporate or social event near Manila.

The best hotels outside Manila in Pampanga and Subic are listed here including a beach resort which is a semi-private establishment located in the central business district near shopping, business, entertainment, airport and other conveniences of Philippines Clark Freeport Zone. This 13 hectare lake beach resort near Manila Philippines is highly recommended for family tourists with children or couples and individuals hoping to relax and enjoy peace and quiet in a laidback American suburban lifestyle.

Where to go in Clark? Hotel Clark Philippines is a De Luxe Hotel in Clark and Subic, a risk free place to stay, cozy and nice ambience, a nice function place for special occasion

You might want to check also the Yats Restaurant is the best restaurant for special dinner, best restaurant for dinner with friends near Manila, also the best place to celebrate special events.

Famous Restaurant in Pampanga, a place to dine with friends in Clark, cozy restaurant with a nice ambience, a nice function place for special occassions

Are you looking for an attractive restaurant or a nice place to eat with friends in Clark, Angeles City Pampanga? Yats Restaurant and Wine Bar is a restaurant with good food and good wines for dinner located at Clark Angeles City Pampanga. Perfect for exclusive dinner venues for groups, recommended for private dinner in Philippines. A Restaurant in Clark for business dinner meeting. Private dinner place or dinner restaurant in Clark Subic Near Manila Angeles City Pampanga. Yats Restaurant is one of the Good Restaurant in Pampanga Angeles City Clark near Manila.

Adding to the charm and attractiveness of the resorts and hotels in Clark Philippines are certain unique factors including safety, a keen sense of security and privacy that the main zone of Clark Freeport Zone offers. Angeles Philippines, Subic or Manila cannot offer the same sense of security like Clark Philippines. It is one of North Luzon Philippines’ top hotels that is trouble free, risk free, and a nice place to have rest in Subic. A well-recognized and interesting hotel.

Pampanga is an important province of the Philippines slated to be the next business and tourism center of the country. Already international traffic prefers the Clark International Airport and tourists find Clark Freeport Zone easier to get around than Manila. Safety, low crime rate, no traffic and low pollution levels all contribute to making Pampanga Angeles City Clark Freeport Zone a preferred destination for local and international tourists.

For information as well as assistance with reservations in hotels and resorts in Pampanga, Clark Philippines, click here to contact HotelClarkPhilippines now

Or call us at

Hotel Clark Philippines
Creekside Road corner of Centennial Road,
Central Business District, Clark Freeport Zone,
Pampanga, Philippines 2023

Tel: (045)599-5949 0917-520-4403 0922-870-5177 ask for Pedro or Rechel

Manila Sales Office
3003C East Tower, Phil Stock Exchange Center,
Exchange Rd Ortigas Metro Manila, Philippines 1605
(632) 637-5019 0917-520-4393 Rea or Chay

http://www.HotelClarkPhilippines.com

Email: Info@ClarkPhilippines.com

Getting to this hotel in Clark Philippines
After entering Clark Freeport from Subic, Manila, Dau and Angeles City, proceed straight along Clark’s main highway MA Roxas, passing Clark’s largest wine shop called Clark Wine Center on your right, continue to bear right making no turns at all, go past Mimosa Leisure Estate on the opposite side of the road, you will hit a major intersection. Go straight and the road becomes Creekside Road. YATS Clearwater Resort and Country Club is on your right just 200m down. Traffic in Clark Philippines is light so it should be quite easy for get to this hotel in Clark Philippines.

YATS Leisure Philippines is a HK-based developer and operator of clubs, resorts and high-class restaurants and wine outlets www.YatsLeisure.com

To inquire with the beach resort hotel in Clark Pampanga visit
http://www.ClearwaterPhilippines.com

For assistance with wedding venues, organizing and planning a wedding reception or to find wedding services and consultants, log on to
www.philippinesweddingvenue.com

To inquire with the highly recommended beach resort hotel in Clark Pampanga visit http://www.ClearwaterPhililippines.com

For more information about Clark, Pampanga, Philippines log on to
http://www.ClarkPhilippines.com

Wine lovers and gourmands looking for good place to eat, fine dining restaurants and family resto bar may want to log on to www.YatsRestaurant.com

In the Freeport zone of Clark, there is a large wine shop that sells excellent vintage wine called Clark Wine Center which offers over 2700 selections of fine wine ranging from p500 to p500,000 a bottle and up. Log on to www. ClarkWineCenter.com for more information.

Looking for a party venue in town?
Clearwater Resort and Country Club is one of the ideal venues for birthday party because it is a risk free venue. Not only Birthday Parties but also a good place to enjoy family reunion. A good place to celebrate special occasions. Clearwater Resort and Country Club is one of the resorts in Subic Clark Angeles City Pampanga or near Manila with activity amenities, place that are nice for celebration.