Philippine Marine Turtles Souvenir Sheet

Kind of Issue: Special
Denomination and Quantity: PhP 26.00 - 8,000
Date of Issue: March 31, 2006

The United Nations has declared 2006 the year of the turtle in an effort to save the gentlespecies. Twenty-five countries in the Indian Ocean Southeast Asian (IOSEA) region, including the Philippines, have signed a Memorandum of Undertaking (MoU) dedicating 2006 to the protection of sea turtles, locally known as pawikan.

5 of the 7 known species of marine turtles in the world are found in the Philippines; the loggerhead, leatherback, olive ridley, hawkbill and green turtle. The IOSEA Marine Turtle MoU is working to conserve six of the world's seven species of marine turtles inhabiting the IOSEA region, including the Flatback turtles (Natator depressus).

GREEN TURTLES (Chelonia mydas) - are widespread, preferring the tropical and sub-tropical waters. Named after the green color of their body fat, they feed on algae and sea grass very efficiently.