Save the wildlife in Turtle bay

Google earth view of Kamia/Turtle bay.
Click to enlarge.
Click here to download a full report and
Study of Turtle Bay, where in they missed
the nocturnal otters.

Turtle bay was given protected Marine sanctuary status by Puerto Princesa City Ordinance No. 13-92. I have since been told it was conveniently rezoned to accommodate construction for tourism purposes.

Turtle bay is a one of a kind marine sanctuary in Palawan, it is unique in it's diversity. It is a mangrove nursery for fish and other sea life. It is home to the already vulnerable Asian Small clawed otters. Otters are nocturnal, so not many people get to see them, so they go ignored in environmental studies.

This is beautiful and natural Turtle bay, home to such diverse marine biodiversity. On the far side of the bay is where Seven Seas will put the Ocean Park. Isn't this sad? Photo by Puerto Princesa City.

Down one of the fresh water rivers running into the bay, is a magnificent old growth mangrove forest. It is a real gem of nature. There are 108 varieties of molluscs, therein, two of which are classified as rare. The corals in the cove are just now recovering from past cyanide fishing, but there are mound just now abounding with new corals and more fish. The bay is shallow and brackish and full of silt from the mangroves but it harbors so much life. Turtle bay is a beautiful natural ocean park with a sustainable ecosystem in place. It should remain a marine sanctuary. The biodiversity is too delicate to mess with.

"Turtle Bay is a fish breeding ground therefore the problems in Turtle Bay have an impact on other areas, for fewer fish will mature and leave Turtle Bay which will result in the decline of populations elsewhere." From this report.

Brief History
In August of 1992, researchers from MSI and UTAH University conducted a project to identify sponges in the coastal areas of Palawan. A letter was later sent by Dr. Ed Gomez requesting the City Government to declare Binunsalian Bay a marine sanctuary. A group of concerned citizens organized and lobbied with the City government. In November of 1992, Binunsalian Bay was declared by the government as a marine reserve. Concerned citizen designed a program for the marine reserve and presented it to the City government. In 1993, Binunsalian Bay Foundation Inc. was formally organized.

Binunsalian Bay Foundation, Inc.

Address: No 29 Malvar street, Puerto, Princesa City, 5300 Palawan Philippines

Contact Person: Ernesto Santa Cruz

I know all of this about Turtle/Kamia bay because I am a resident of the area; only 3 minutes from this bay, and I have been documenting the bay and cove, as well as rescuing its orphaned otters from human encroachment.

Now, a large company, Seven Seas properties wants to put in a man made Ocean Park. It will totally mar and even destroy the ecosystem in the bay. I believe they did not give full disclosure on the extent and scope of the development to Palawan Council for Sustainable Development (PCSD).  Perhaps they conned our city Government and local barangay officials into signing the permits for them to build a monstrosity which will totally disrupt, if not destroy this sanctuary. For a development to deface a bay that affects all of Palawan, a broader, more informed public should be allowed to have their say!

The company has already started an Ocean park in Boracay on Puka beach, without an ECC permit and, which has come under the scrutiny of environmental groups. There is nothing in their proposed design plan, accommodations, activities etc is environmentally sane or safe for the marine sanctuary, called Turtle Bay and Binunsalian Bay.  I believe the city of Puerto Princesa, and PCSD (Palawan Council for Sustainable Development) were mislead to the scope of the development. Nor made aware damage to the existing flora and fauna, the buildings touted on their website would do.

I believe, that since this bay is an important part of the native ecosystem of Palawan in general, a broader and larger participation by those living in Palawan and or wishing to visit its pristine nature, should be informed and encouraged. I believe the permits were given prematurely for the scope of the project and impact on the environment.

The corals in Turtle bay are in recovery mode from past cyanide fishing and perhaps, improper casting of anchors by fishermen seeking safe harbor from storms there. Yet it hosts a wide variety of sea life. Dugongs once fed on the sea grasses at the mouth of the cove, but are no more. Otters live along it's mangrove habitat and frolic in the moonlight, chattering away.  This bay is a natural gem, why put in a FAKE ocean park when the one there is fine the way it is?

Pristine Binusalian akaTurtle Bay. Lined with mangroves that give life to fish, crabs and other sea life. Can you imagine Villas over this. Many of the mangroves will have to be cleared to give access to them. I know it sounds delightful...but no, leave it alone, Come visit it in a kayak and enjoy the peace and quiet. Do you want to the the hotel below or see it in its natural state?

This is one of the ATTRACTIONS ON SEVEN SEA WEBSITES; "Aviary Section

Meet formidable coastal raptors called Brahminy Kites and feed them by hand as they glide near you. Take a leisurely stroll in the Lorie Canopy Walk and let friendly lories rest on your shoulders while feeding."  Under the ACCOMMODATIONS they say, "Aviary Hotel

A bird paradise themed accommodation featuring a bird enclosure where you get the chance to see and feed brahminy kites in the comfort of your room's balcony." http://sevenseasproperties.com/properties/puerto-princesa/

Would you rather see the pristine mangroves or this hotel with captive wild birds to feed from your balcony? Although tempting, they don't need to be captured to for real bird watchers to see. They already ARE wild..DO NOT NET THEM IN.

This is Turtle bay as it is today. Pristine and peaceful.

This is the depiction of a hotel guest room on Turtle/Kamia Bay as they propose. This bay is not deep enough without dredging for such features. The water is always silty from the mangroves, not crisp and clear as pictured.

This is the vision of Turtle Bay from their website for Turtle Bay. Which would you want to see?
 They offer an Oceanarium - "Witness the best of marine life with an awesome display of manta rays, whale sharks, dugongs and sun fishes." (There are no more dugongs in Turtle Bay. I am in that bay many times a week in our native banca and there are no dugongs there. Where will they get the dugongs? Sun fishes? Are you kidding me? The brackish water in the bay will kill them and it's certainly not deep enough, nor food naturally food occurring for it. WHALE SHARKS? Now they are dreaming and living in a fairy tale.Talk about hell on earth for any of the aforementioned sea creatures forced to live in that bay.)

Peaceful and important marine sanctuary, where fish go to lay eggs and otters frolic.

The resident Asian small clawed otters of Turtle/Kamia, Binunsalian Bay.

This baby otter was already a victim of human encroachment into Turtle bay. Dogs killed it's siblings. This little guy was only a day or two old, and although he gave it his best shot, he died after 5 days. Asian small clawed otters mate for life! The parents remain Alpha and each subsequent liter of pups raises each other until. They can form family groups up to 10 or 12 members. They do not leave the parents until one of the parents dies, up to 10 years, or is killed.

Poor one or two day old Asian small clawed otter pup, so beautiful and sweet. A life lost to human encroachment onto the mangrove shores of Turtle bay.

The photo below shows this Ocean Park in Boracay and how much damage they have done to the last green and pristine areas. Only now, the residents are finding out AFTER they have already done great damage to the mangroves and pristine areas.  Environment groups are now questioning this move. Are we to trust them not to destroy Turtle/Kamia Bay as well?

The author of this post on Facebook said about this; "The beginning of the end of our beloved Puka Beach. This aerial photo was taken by Mar Schönenberger last may 13, 2015. Its the on going construction of Ocean Park 426 rooms Resort at the entrance of Puka beach in Yapak. . Do Boracay really need another resort at the expense of last remaining untouched Puka Beach? We have been sleeping while they sneaked in. Wake up LGU of Malay. No more Greed more Green (not the color of money). To all Puka Beach lovers, pls Share this post!" Recently it has become known that Seven Seas razed this property and some of the last forests in Boracay without an ECC permit accoding to DENR. http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/701554/denr-boracay-resort-being-built-on-timberland-without-ecc

This is obviously a developer who thinks he can do what he wants for profit. Although the words on their website sound good, they seem to not have one care for the environment or nature.

This is a photo of Puka beach in Boracay, BEFORE the Ocean park development. Too late, it is being scrutinized by environmental groups.

The photo below shows Kamia Bay Resort, the original developer as it stands today. How can all the buildings Seven Seas is touting on their website without destroying the whole little peninsula Kamia Resort is on. The roads are narrow and so steep, they made people park at the entrance, and had their own vans take people to the restaurant shown below. At the bottom of the hill, there is only parking for two or three vans, with a tight space to turn around.

Where will they put the shopping malls, world class marina, croc viewing area, dolphin cages, large 400 room hotel with balconies that face and are open to a huge area with captive native raptors?

Why put up a FAKE ocean park when nature in Turtle bay is already a NATURAL MARVEL. I say leave the bay alone.

The sad part is that Kamia Bay Resort as it stands, was just lovely and not invasive to the environment. I feel it was not properly marketed or managed.
http://www.mypuertoprincesa.net/2013/03/kamia-bay-resort-luzviminda.html

The little peninsula that Kamia Resort is on, is quite small. The roads, steep and and narrow. Try to Imagine a shopping mall, world class marina, captive dolphins viewed from guest rooms. A 400 Room hotel with caged in aviary. It all just simply won't fit without completely redoing nature as it is. Imagine the hillside in the photo below with all the proposed buildings!! This is a small peninsula! They will have to totally remove any natural vegetation to put in all those buildings.

Let's just say, PCSD did not give permits for CAPTIVE imported dolphins, whale sharks, sun fish and dugongs. THEN WHY does Seven Seas property have photos of such on their website? Isn't that FALSE ADVERTISING in the least?

The Life in Turtle Bay

The mangroves around Turtle/Kamia bay are habitat for Asian small clawed otters which are already vulnerable from human encroachment.
 Click the link to read about the rescued otters from this bay: http://otters-of-palawan.blogspot.com

A stylish fiddler crab on the opposite shore of proposed development, in the mangroves.

Just a few of the fish under a large boat moored at Kamia bay resort.

This same bright yellow and purple sea squirt was just featured in an article. This photo was taken in Binunsalian bay last month.

Scientists Discover Scores of Weird Species in Philippine Waters

Photo by Gary Williams - Academy of Science

How many more species will be compromised by the development by Seven Seas? Only molluscs have been studied in that bay.

This is one of the great trees in the mangroves on the Kamia Bay resort property.

This was a very big blue jelly fish in the mangrove area. Catostylus sp or blubber jelly.

Another pretty jellyfish in the mangroves.

Mangroves dotting all the shores of Turtle bay serve as nurseries for fish and other sea life.

A huge monitor lizard in the old growth mangrove forest in Turtle bay.

 Click here to see more bivalves and gastropod photos of Turtle and Binunsalian bays

Click here to see more bivalves and gastropod photos of Turtle and Binunsalian bays

A beautiful starfish in Turtle bay.. Nardoa tuberculata- Warty Mesh Sea Star-

The magnificent Rufous backed kingfisher feeds in Turtle bay mangroves.

This is a photo from Seven Seas Properties for the Kamia bay Ocean Park.

Oceanarium -  according to Seven Seas, "Witness the best of marine life with an awesome display of manta rays, whale sharks, dugongs and sun fishes." (There are no more dugongs in Turtle Bay. I am in that bay many times a week in our native banca and there are no dugongs there. Where will they get the dugongs? Sun fishes? Are you kidding me? The brackish water in the bay will kill them and it's certainly not deep enough, nor food naturally food occurring for it.

This is the view of Turtle/Kamia bay from the south highway.

Kiss this lovely view goodbye. Just imagine all their buildings replacing the green mangroves and habitat. Imagine yachts and motor boats and a "WORLD CLASS MARINA" instead of this. A "PLACE TO SEE AND BE SEEN". What? Who cares...go away.

At the mouth of Turtle bay the native Kamia Bay resort is a much better fit for the delicate ecosystem in Turtle/Kamia/Binunsalian Bay!

HERE IS A FULL LIST OF ACCOMMODATIONS THEY WANT TO BUILD IN THE tiny, shallow cove of Turtle bay.
http://sevenseasproperties.com/properties/puerto-princesa/
Aviary Hotel
A bird paradise themed accommodation featuring a bird enclosure where you get the chance to see and feed brahminy kites in the comfort of your room's balcony. (Why do that when beautiful birds already live in the mangroves?)

Copper throated sun bird by Rommel Cruz

Oceanarium Villas
Surrounded with azure crystal waters, these deluxe accommodations make a truly vibrant island feel to your vacation.

Shark Villas
A two level elegant room with lagoon views on the upper floor and a breathtaking underwater view on the lower floor



Hillside Villas
Have a scenic view on top with hillside detached villas fronting the bay

Mangrove Hotel
Bask in exceptional views of the sea and mangrove forests in this opulent set of rooms

Click to enlarge

Mangrove Villas
Elegant rooms on stilts provide a perfect holiday charm to your stay.

Add caption

PROPOSED ATTRACTIONS

Croc Cage"Immerse in an exhilarating crocodile diving experience with some the largest saltwater reptiles in the world. An acrylic, cylindrical shaped cage will let you have an up close session with crocodiles in a 360 degree clear view. See these prehistoric creatures like no other."http://sevenseasproperties.com/properties/puerto-princesa/

No Thanks! We already have the Crocodile farm in Irawan. No need to destroy a marine sanctuary which should be left as a natural park for tourists to enjoy, as is.

Oceanarium
"Witness the best of marine life with an awesome display of manta rays, whale sharks, dugongs and sun fishes."

View captive imported dolphins? From your guest room?
http://sevenseasproperties.com/properties/puerto-princesa/

Mangrove Exhibit
Forest mangroves are one of the most productive and complex ecosystems in the world. Known to have originated from Southeast Asia, these biological marvels are home to a diverse array of flora and fauna.

Aviary Section
Meet formidable coastal raptors called Brahminy Kites and feed them by hand as they glide near you. Take a leisurely stroll in the Lorie Canopy Walk and let friendly lories rest on your shoulders while feeding.

Croc Cage
Immerse in an exhilarating crocodile diving experience with some the largest saltwater reptiles in the world. An acrylic, cylindrical shaped cage will let you have an up close session with crocodiles in a 360 degree clear view. See these prehistoric creatures like no other.

Dolphin Cove
"Swim with these lovable marine mammals in the open sea. Take a photo and have a memorable time together." ( Yes there are dolphins OUTSIDE of Turtle/Kamia bay. It's a seasonal thing, but they ARE NOT held captive!)

Stingray Cove
Go beyond the waves and as you touch and take a dip with friendly stingrays in an engaging and cool attraction.

WHAT YOU CAN DO FOR TURTLE BAY

SIGN MY FORMAL PETITION

1.  Write to Palawan Council for Sustainable Development and ask to see the permits given to Seven Seas. They are public documents there are 5 pages that were notarized..so you should get all 5 pages not the two they have been giving out. Ask them to reconsider the scope of the project and keep Turtle bay protected from large motorized yachts and boats.
Here is there official website http://pcsd.gov.ph/
Write to them directly - http://pcsd.gov.ph/contact-us/

2.  Write on the contact page of Seven Seas Property and tell them you don't want this type of development in Turtle/Kamia bay.  http://sevenseasproperties.com/properties/puerto-princesa/

  3.  Contact: RAMON J. PAJE -Environmental Secretary

  Department of Environment and Natural Resources

 Visayas Avenue, Diliman, 1100 Quezon City, Philippines 

 EMAIL: osec@denr.gov.ph

 +63-2-929-6626

3.  SHARE THE LINK  TO MY BLOG on your social media pages.

     http://save-turtlebay-palawan.blogspot.com/

4. Share my petition with any media, or environmental organization and ask them to help stop this.  https://www.change.org/p/save-the-otters-and-other-wildlife-inturtle-bay-palawan?recruiter=336546215&utm_source=share_petition&utm_medium=copylink

5.  BOYCOTT HOTEL CENTRO and ask them to back out of their partnership with this monstrosity. Their email address is : customercare@hotelcentro.ph
   
 Hotel Centro | San Pedro National Highway, Puerto Princesa City, Palawan, 5300, Philippines

6. EMAIL THE LOCAL DENR-EMB-MIMAROPA AND ASK them to rescind the permit and retain marine sanctuary for Turtle and Binunsalian Bays.
http://mimaropa.denr.gov.ph/index.php/contactus  OR DIRECT EMAIL
Regional Director OSCAR C. DOMINGUEZ
oscardominguez06@yahoo.com
ocdominguez@denr.gov.ph

I cannot say whether is infographic is true, but it is indeed alarming for such a developer to be remotely associated with a habit of capturing dolphins for his developments. It was posted by Sea Shephard Singapore

https://www.facebook.com/SeaShepherdSG/photos/a.285985438241723.10737

41831.285573848282882/473417192831879/?type=1&theater

HERE is a copy of the SEP PERMIT by PCSD. Notice on the signature page, which is notarized, the name is missing (which IS HOTEL CENTRO), as well as name above signature and date as well. Yet is was duly notarized. ALSO IT IS PAGE 5 OF 5 and only two pages were given to person requesting the copies. What is on the other pages that cannot be seen? I thought all pages were public documents.