Just before dawn on a Saturday, Winston Plaza patrols the shoreline of Barangay Dahican in Mati, Davao Oriental, hoping to spot a nesting mother turtle. Crouching over a fresh nest, he carefully gathers the eggs and transfers them to a nearby hatchery before the beach fills with visitors. For Winston, protecting turtles means protecting the sea that sustains life. He is a founding member of Amihan sa Dahican, a group of surfers and skimboarders turned conservationists dedicated to safeguarding endangered marine turtles, locally known as pawikan. Established in 2004, Amihan evolved from a skimboarding team to an environmental conservation group, driven by their love for the ocean and their encounters with nesting turtles. Dahican Beach, a seven-kilometer stretch of white sand, has become a sanctuary for marine turtles, hosting species like the green sea turtle, hawksbill turtle, and olive ridley—all listed as endangered or critically endangered by the IUCN. Despite challenges, including the demolition of their watchtower and hatchery in 2024, Amihan continues its mission, patrolling the beaches, protecting nests, and releasing hatchlings into the sea. Over the years, they have released over 105,000 baby turtles, contributing to the preservation of marine ecosystems. For Winston and his team, protecting turtles is not just a duty; it’s a way of ensuring the balance and beauty of the ocean for generations to come.
