One hundred hawksbill turtles were discovered aboard a Vietnamese fishing boat in Malampaya.  The thirteen men aboard are now accused of poaching by  Phillippine authorities.  A total of onehundred turtles were found to have been drowned in the boat's cargo area.  Recall that a resting turtle can remain underwater for a couple of hours, however when stress is induced they require constant resurfacing.

The hawksbill turtle is protected under Appendix 1 of the CITES list which prohibits international trade, it has also been added to IUCN as critically endangered.  According to Philippine and international laws, it is illegal to caputre or kill sea turtles as well as trading any byproducts.

Currently the 13 vietnamese fishermen will be charged with violating wildlife conservation and protection act, they can be fined up to 1mm Philippine pesos ($21,500) in addition to a possible six year jail sentence. WWF has followed this case closely with hopes of ensuring that justice is served for our turtles!