A multi-institutional mission to the Turtle Islands Wildlife Sanctuary (TIWS) was conducted from 21–27 June 2026 to assess the site’s management effectiveness, validate its conservation status, and strengthen collaboration among key stakeholders for the long-term protection of one of the region’s most important marine biodiversity areas.
The mission brought together representatives from ASEAN ENMAPS, Solutions for Marine and Coastal Resilience in the Coral Triangle (SOMACORE), the Biodiversity Management Bureau of the Philippine Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR-BMB), ministries of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), the local government, the Protected Area Management Office (PAMO), and local communities. Activities included the conduct of the Management Effectiveness Tracking Tool (METT) assessment, perception mapping, field validation, and stakeholder consultations to identify priorities for biodiversity conservation and governance.
Discussions focused on strengthening site management while exploring opportunities to expand collaboration through the proposed Bangsamoro Marine Protected Area Network. Field visits reaffirmed the sanctuary’s critical role as a globally significant nesting habitat for marine turtles and highlighted key management priorities, including enhanced law enforcement, updated management planning, sustainable livelihood development, improved water and solid waste management, and responsible ecotourism.
The mission also underscored the importance of inclusive conservation by ensuring the active participation of Indigenous Peoples, women, youth, fishers, and local communities. Their perspectives and traditional knowledge helped shape recommendations that promote culturally appropriate, community-centered approaches to biodiversity conservation and sustainable development.
The mission concluded with a set of recommendations to update the TIWS Management Plan, strengthen management effectiveness and enforcement capacity, support community-based livelihood initiatives, and translate stakeholder inputs into a coordinated action plan that will advance the long-term conservation and sustainable management of the Turtle Islands Wildlife Sanctuary.
