As
everyone who has visited Batanes knows, a traditional delicacy there is coconut
crab (Birgus latro), locally called tatus.
In the past the population of tatus
used to be high, but today such population is now small. This has prompted the Bureau of Fisheries and
Aquatic Resources (BFAR) to craft measures to conserve this species of crab.
Birgus latro is a species
of the terrestrial hermit crab, which is also sometimes called robber crab or
ganjo crab (palm thief). According to
our friend Wikipedia, Birgus latro is
the largest land-living arthropod in the world and is said to be one of the
largest terrestrial animals with exoskeletons.
It can grow to as large as 4 kilograms in weight and measure about three
feet from tip of its right leg to tip of its left leg. Of course, I haven’t seen this size but this
is a scientific observation.
Through
its semi-annual publication, KALAP, BFAR Region 2, said that Birgus latro is an endangered species
that’s listed under the Convention of International Trade of Endangered Species
(CITES). A quick check with the red list
of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) indicates that Birgus latro is considered data deficient and, therefore, could not be
accurately classified in terms of its conservation status. Since BFAR has classified Birgus latro as endangered species, it
should coordinate with the IUCN and provide that international organization
with the complete accurate information about the species.
It
is entirely possible that being data deficient, Birgus latro may be endangered in some areas while it still remains
abundant in other areas. I believe that
BFAR may be right in declaring tatus as
endangered in Batanes given that currently it is no longer easy to catch large
coconut crabs there.
I’m
not informed about the coconut crab conservation practices that BFAR has put in
place in Batanes, but I do have a suggestion.
It is, of course, possible that this suggestion may have been considered
by BFAR, but until now I have not heard of it yet. Of course, I am aware of the DENR Order
prohibiting transporting tatus out of
Batanes.
Conservation Action for Tatus
My
suggestion for the conservation of tatus
in Batanes is simple and doable. The
province of Batanes, through the assistance of the BFAR, as well as DENR, should declare a coconut crab sanctuary in
the province. Perhaps Dinem Island would
be a perfect sanctuary for tatus. Another island that is perfect sanctuary is
Mavudis (this used to be haven for tatus
in past years), although poachers from Taiwan are always on this island today.
The
sanctuary, naturally, would be off limits to anybody and should be guarded by
the Coast Guard. The island of Dinem has
no beach and is surrounded by high cliffs of rocks. The island is actually a very steep
mountain. It is said that the slope of
this island is so steep that one would practically “kiss” the heels of the
person climbing ahead. I know that on
the island of Dinem, coconut crabs are large and difficult to catch, although
every now and then people from Itbayat Island would try their lack in catching tatus in Dinem, which is about 10
kilometers away from Itbayat Island.
Those who have been lucky to catch crabs have been able to catch crabs
as heavy as 3 kilos per piece.
Sanctuaries
should also be declared on Itbayat and Sabtang Islands.
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