Volunteers receive 20 pesos ($0.37) for each egg collected, or four times the income they make from selling them. The eggs are transferred to the program’s hatcheries for re-incubation in protected areas.
Jesse Cabbage, a former hunter who grew up eating turtle meat and eggs, said the extra income from egg collection goes a long way for his family, which mainly relies on fishing for its livelihood.
“The incentives help us pay for our food and electricity bills. When I got lucky, I was able to save and use it to buy a tricycle, which I used (to ferry passengers) Well, when I couldn’t go fishing, that’s another thing.” source of income,” he said.
Cabbag, whose wife and seven-year-old son accompany him on patrol at La Union beach in Baconnotan, has handed over 1,000 eggs to CURMA since October.
“I stopped hunting when we trained and were taught that what we were doing was illegal, and that these species of turtles were endangered,” the 40-year-old said.
Tourists flock for the spectacle of the blue-grey hatchlings, which emerge from the sloping beach after reaching the water, rushing madly.
He added that the incident inspired immense joy in the Cabbages.
“I am really proud. Even our neighbors appreciate what I do, because it is not easy. I am happy that I got a chance to contribute to the preservation of ‘Pavikan’.”