CURMA's operations director Carlos Tamayo, 44, helps fisherman and turtle patroller Jessie Cabagbag, 40, hold a mother turtle before it goes back to the sea, at Bacnotan, La Union, Philippines, December 21, 2022. Jessie is one of the volunteers for CURMA, or Coastal Underwater Resource Management Actions, which has turned sea turtle poachers into its allies by offering them incentives and training, allowing it to save thousands of turtles and their eggs. "I stopped poaching when we underwent training and were taught that what we have been doing was illegal, and that these species of turtles are endangered," he said. "I am overwhelmed with joy when the eggs hatch... I am truly proud." REUTERS/Eloisa Lopez SEARCH "LOPEZ PHILIPPINES TURTLES" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES. TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY 

Sea turtle patroller Johnny Manlugay, 55, who used to hunt and is now using his skills to help marine turtle conservation, digs up a nest with eggs to turn over to CURMA's hatchery in San Juan, La Union, Philippines, December 20, 2022. Set up in 2009, CURMA or Coastal Underwater Resource Management Actions, has turned sea turtle poachers into its allies by offering them incentives and training, allowing it to save thousands of turtles and their eggs. "I've learned to love this work," said Manlugay. "We didn't know poaching was illegal and that we should not eat turtle eggs and meat." REUTERS/Eloisa Lopez SEARCH "LOPEZ PHILIPPINES TURTLES" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES. 

Sea turtle patroller Johnny Manlugay, 55, who used to hunt and is now using his skills to help marine turtle conservation, takes eggs from a nest to turn them over to CURMA's hatchery, in San Juan, La Union, Philippines, December 20, 2022. Set up in 2009, CURMA or Coastal Underwater Resource Management Actions, has turned sea turtle poachers into its allies by offering them incentives and training, allowing it to save thousands of turtles and their eggs. "I've learned to love this work," said Manlugay. "We didn't know poaching was illegal and that we should not eat turtle eggs and meat." REUTERS/Eloisa Lopez SEARCH "LOPEZ PHILIPPINES TURTLES" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES. TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY 

An olive ridley sea turtle hatchling makes its way to the sea in San Juan, La Union, Philippines, January 12, 2023. REUTERS/Eloisa Lopez SEARCH "LOPEZ PHILIPPINES TURTLES" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES. 

Carlos Tamayo, 44, operations director of sea turtle conservation effort CURMA, is photographed at their hatchery in San Juan, La Union, Philippines, December 20, 2022. Set up in 2009, CURMA or Coastal Underwater Resource Management Actions, is leading the conservations programme around La Union beaches and has turned sea turtle poachers into its allies by offering them incentives and training, allowing it to save thousands of turtles and their eggs. "We talked to the poachers, and it turns out...(poaching) was just another means for them to earn a living," said Tamayo. "They had no choice." REUTERS/Eloisa Lopez SEARCH "LOPEZ PHILIPPINES TURTLES" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES. 

Jessie Cabagbag, 40, who used to be a poacher and is now a sea turtle patroller, hauls his fishing net with another fisherman on his boat in Bacnotan, La Union, Philippines, January 11, 2023. Jessie is one of the volunteers for CURMA, or Coastal Underwater Resource Management Actions, which has turned sea turtle poachers into its allies by offering them incentives and training, allowing it to save thousands of turtles and their eggs. "I stopped poaching when we underwent training and were taught that what we have been doing was illegal, and that these species of turtles are endangered," he said. "I am overwhelmed with joy when the eggs hatch... I am truly proud." REUTERS/Eloisa Lopez SEARCH "LOPEZ PHILIPPINES TURTLES" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES. 

Fisherman Jessie Cabagbag, 40, who used to be a poacher, his son Gabriel, 7, his wife Jonnibel, 39, and their two dogs look for turtle tracks and nests in the sand during their nightly patrol at the beach in Bacnotan, La Union, Philippines, January 11, 2023. Jessie is one of the volunteers for CURMA, or Coastal Underwater Resource Management Actions, which has turned sea turtle poachers into its allies by offering them incentives and training, allowing it to save thousands of turtles and their eggs. "I stopped poaching when we underwent training and were taught that what we have been doing was illegal, and that these species of turtles are endangered," he said. "I am overwhelmed with joy when the eggs hatch... I am truly proud." REUTERS/Eloisa Lopez SEARCH "LOPEZ PHILIPPINES TURTLES" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES. 

Sea turtle patroller Johnny Manlugay, 55, who used to hunt and is now using his skills to help marine turtle conservation, looks for tracks and nests to turn them over to CURMA with his dog at the beach in San Juan, La Union, Philippines, December 19, 2022. Set up in 2009, CURMA or Coastal Underwater Resource Management Actions, has turned sea turtle poachers into its allies by offering them incentives and training, allowing it to save thousands of turtles and their eggs from ending up in markets and on plates. "I've learned to love this work," said Manlugay. "We didn't know poaching was illegal and that we should not eat turtle eggs and meat." REUTERS/Eloisa Lopez SEARCH "LOPEZ PHILIPPINES TURTLES" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES. 

Fisherman Jessie Cabagbag, 40, who used to be a poacher, his son Gabriel, 7, his wife Jonnibel, 39, and their two dogs look for turtle tracks and nests in the sand during their nightly patrol at the beach in Bacnotan, La Union, Philippines, January 11, 2023. Jessie is one of the volunteers for CURMA, or Coastal Underwater Resource Management Actions, which has turned sea turtle poachers into its allies by offering them incentives and training, allowing it to save thousands of turtles and their eggs. "I stopped poaching when we underwent training and were taught that what we have been doing was illegal, and that these species of turtles are endangered," he said. "I am overwhelmed with joy when the eggs hatch... I am truly proud." REUTERS/Eloisa Lopez SEARCH "LOPEZ PHILIPPINES TURTLES" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES. 

Fisherman Jessie Cabagbag, 40, who used to be a poacher, his son Gabriel, 7, and his wife Jonnibel, 39, sit during their nightly patrol at the beach in Bacnotan, La Union, Philippines, January 11, 2023. Jessie is one of the volunteers for CURMA, or Coastal Underwater Resource Management Actions, which has turned sea turtle poachers into its allies by offering them incentives and training, allowing it to save thousands of turtles and their eggs. "I stopped poaching when we underwent training and were taught that what we have been doing was illegal, and that these species of turtles are endangered," he said. "I am overwhelmed with joy when the eggs hatch... I am truly proud." REUTERS/Eloisa Lopez SEARCH "LOPEZ PHILIPPINES TURTLES" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES. 

Fisherman Jessie Cabagbag, 40, who used to be a poacher and is now a sea turtle patroller, sails out to fish, a few hours after finishing the nightly patrol with his family in Bacnotan, La Union, Philippines, January 11, 2023.Jessie is one of the volunteers for CURMA, or Coastal Underwater Resource Management Actions, which has turned sea turtle poachers into its allies by offering them incentives and training, allowing it to save thousands of turtles and their eggs. "I stopped poaching when we underwent training and were taught that what we have been doing was illegal, and that these species of turtles are endangered," he said. "I am overwhelmed with joy when the eggs hatch... I am truly proud." REUTERS/Eloisa Lopez SEARCH "LOPEZ PHILIPPINES TURTLES" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES. 

Fish caught by Jessie Cabagbag, 40, who used to be a poacher and is now a sea turtle patroller, are counted by his relative at home in Bacnotan, La Union, Philippines, January 11, 2023. Jessie is one of the volunteers for CURMA, or Coastal Underwater Resource Management Actions, which has turned sea turtle poachers into its allies by offering them incentives and training, allowing it to save thousands of turtles and their eggs. "I stopped poaching when we underwent training and were taught that what we have been doing was illegal, and that these species of turtles are endangered," he said. "I am overwhelmed with joy when the eggs hatch... I am truly proud." REUTERS/Eloisa Lopez SEARCH "LOPEZ PHILIPPINES TURTLES" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES. 

A baby olive ridley sea turtle emerges from its nest at CURMA's hatchery, in San Juan, La Union, Philippines, December 20, 2022. Set up in 2009, CURMA or Coastal Underwater Resource Management Actions, is leading the conservations programme around La Union beaches and has turned sea turtle poachers into its allies by offering them incentives and training, allowing it to save thousands of turtles and their eggs. "We talked to the poachers, and it turns out...(poaching) was just another means for them to earn a living," said Carlos Tamayo, 44, the operations director. "They had no choice." REUTERS/Eloisa Lopez SEARCH "LOPEZ PHILIPPINES TURTLES" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES. 

A baby olive ridley sea turtle emerges from its nest at CURMA's hatchery, in San Juan, La Union, Philippines, December 20, 2022. Set up in 2009, CURMA or Coastal Underwater Resource Management Actions, is leading the conservations programme around La Union beaches and has turned sea turtle poachers into its allies by offering them incentives and training, allowing it to save thousands of turtles and their eggs. "We talked to the poachers, and it turns out...(poaching) was just another means for them to earn a living," said Carlos Tamayo, 44, the operations director. "They had no choice." REUTERS/Eloisa Lopez SEARCH "LOPEZ PHILIPPINES TURTLES" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES. 

CURMA'S field specialist Karlo Salazar, 19, places a net around a nest of eggs which sea turtle patroller Johnny Manlugay, 55, turned over to the hatchery, San Juan, La Union, Philippines, December 20, 2022. Set up in 2009, CURMA or Coastal Underwater Resource Management Actions, has turned sea turtle poachers into its allies by offering them incentives and training, allowing it to save thousands of turtles and their eggs. "I've learned to love this work," said Manlugay. "We didn't know poaching was illegal and that we should not eat turtle eggs and meat." REUTERS/Eloisa Lopez SEARCH "LOPEZ PHILIPPINES TURTLES" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES. 

CURMA's field specialist Karlo Salazar, 19, writes down the number of sea turtle eggs turned over by patroller Johnny Manlugay, 55, at the hatchery in San Juan, La Union, Philippines, December 20, 2022. Set up in 2009, CURMA or Coastal Underwater Resource Management Actions, has turned sea turtle poachers into its allies by offering them incentives and training, allowing it to save thousands of turtles and their eggs. "I've learned to love this work," said Manlugay. "We didn't know poaching was illegal and that we should not eat turtle eggs and meat." REUTERS/Eloisa Lopez SEARCH "LOPEZ PHILIPPINES TURTLES" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES. 

Johnny Manlugay, 55, who used to hunt and is now using his skills to help marine turtle conservation, receives money for turning over a nest of over a hundred sea turtle eggs to CURMA's hatchery, in San Juan, La Union, Philippines, December 20, 2022. Set up in 2009, CURMA or Coastal Underwater Resource Management Actions, has turned sea turtle poachers into its allies by offering them incentives and training, allowing it to save thousands of turtles and their eggs. "I've learned to love this work," said Manlugay. "We didn't know poaching was illegal and that we should not eat turtle eggs and meat." REUTERS/Eloisa Lopez SEARCH "LOPEZ PHILIPPINES TURTLES" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES. 

CURMA's operations director Carlos Tamayo, 44, looks at the tracks of a mother turtle who failed to lay eggs on the beach, at Bacnotan, La Union, Philippines, December 21, 2022. Set up in 2009, CURMA or Coastal Underwater Resource Management Actions, is leading the conservations programme around La Union beaches and has turned sea turtle poachers into its allies by offering them incentives and training, allowing it to save thousands of turtles and their eggs. "We talked to the poachers, and it turns out...(poaching) was just another means for them to earn a living," said Tamayo. "They had no choice." REUTERS/Eloisa Lopez SEARCH "LOPEZ PHILIPPINES TURTLES" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES. 

A mother turtle heads back to the sea after laying eggs on the beach in Bacnotan, La Union, Philippines, January 12, 2023. REUTERS/Eloisa Lopez SEARCH "LOPEZ PHILIPPINES TURTLES" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES. 

CURMA's field specialist Karlo Salazar, 19, checks the tagging of a mother turtle before it goes back to the sea, at Bacnotan, La Union, Philippines, December 21, 2022. Set up in 2009, CURMA or Coastal Underwater Resource Management Actions, is leading the conservations programme around La Union beaches and has turned sea turtle poachers into its allies by offering them incentives and training, allowing it to save thousands of turtles and their eggs. "We talked to the poachers, and it turns out...(poaching) was just another means for them to earn a living," said Carlos Tamayo, 44, the operations director. "They had no choice." REUTERS/Eloisa Lopez SEARCH "LOPEZ PHILIPPINES TURTLES" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES. 

CURMA's operations director Carlos Tamayo, 44, documents a mother turtle going back to the sea after laying eggs on the beach in Bacnotan, La Union, Philippines, January 12, 2023. Set up in 2009, CURMA or Coastal Underwater Resource Management Actions, is leading the conservations programme around La Union beaches and has turned sea turtle poachers into its allies by offering them incentives and training, allowing it to save thousands of turtles and their eggs. "We talked to the poachers, and it turns out...(poaching) was just another means for them to earn a living," said Carlos Tamayo, 44, the operations director. "They had no choice." REUTERS/Eloisa Lopez SEARCH "LOPEZ PHILIPPINES TURTLES" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES. 

CURMA's operations director Carlos Tamayo, 44, prepares to drive back to the hatchery as field specialist Karlo Salazar, 19, holds a bucket full of turtle eggs, in Bacnotan, La Union, Philippines, January 13, 2023. Set up in 2009, CURMA or Coastal Underwater Resource Management Actions, has turned sea turtle poachers into its allies by offering them incentives and training, allowing it to save thousands of turtles and their eggs. "We talked to the poachers, and it turns out...(poaching) was just another means for them to earn a living," said Carlos Tamayo, 44, the operations director. "They had no choice." REUTERS/Eloisa Lopez SEARCH "LOPEZ PHILIPPINES TURTLES" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES. 

Spectators wait for olive ridley turtles to emerge from their nest at CURMA's hatchery, in San Juan, La Union, Philippines, December 20, 2022. Set up in 2009, CURMA or Coastal Underwater Resource Management Actions, is leading the conservations programme around La Union beaches and has turned sea turtle poachers into its allies by offering them incentives and training, allowing it to save thousands of turtles and their eggs. "We talked to the poachers, and it turns out...(poaching) was just another means for them to earn a living," said Carlos Tamayo, 44, the operations director. "They had no choice." REUTERS/Eloisa Lopez SEARCH "LOPEZ PHILIPPINES TURTLES" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES. 

Spectators wait for olive ridley turtles to emerge from their nest at CURMA's hatchery, in San Juan, La Union, Philippines, December 20, 2022. Set up in 2009, CURMA or Coastal Underwater Resource Management Actions, is leading the conservations programme around La Union beaches and has turned sea turtle poachers into its allies by offering them incentives and training, allowing it to save thousands of turtles and their eggs. "We talked to the poachers, and it turns out...(poaching) was just another means for them to earn a living," said Carlos Tamayo, 44, the operations director. "They had no choice." REUTERS/Eloisa Lopez SEARCH "LOPEZ PHILIPPINES TURTLES" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES. 

CURMA's operations director Carlos Tamayo, 44, takes a basin full of baby olive ridley turtles to the beach to be released into the sea in San Juan, La Union, December 20, 2022. Set up in 2009, CURMA or Coastal Underwater Resource Management Actions, is leading the conservations programme around La Union beaches and has turned sea turtle poachers into its allies by offering them incentives and training, allowing it to save thousands of turtles and their eggs. "We talked to the poachers, and it turns out...(poaching) was just another means for them to earn a living," said Tamayo. "They had no choice." REUTERS/Eloisa Lopez SEARCH "LOPEZ PHILIPPINES TURTLES" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES. 

Baby olive ridley sea turtles make their way to the sea, in San Juan, La Union, Philippines, December 20, 2022. REUTERS/Eloisa Lopez SEARCH "LOPEZ PHILIPPINES TURTLES" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES. TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY 

Johnny Manlugay, 55, who used to hunt and is now using his skills to help marine turtle conservation, transfers cooked rice into a container, as he prepares to go to a construction job, at home in San Juan, La Union, Philippines, January 13, 2023. Manlugay, who used to hunt sea turtles and their eggs, now uses his skills to find the nests and turn them over to CURMA, or the Coastal Underwater Resource Management Action, which has turned poachers like him into its allies by offering them incentives and training, allowing it to save thousands of turtles and their eggs from ending up in markets and on plates. "I've learned to love this work," said Manlugay. "We didn't know poaching was illegal and that we should not eat turtle eggs and meat." REUTERS/Eloisa Lopez SEARCH "LOPEZ PHILIPPINES TURTLES" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES. 

Johnny Manlugay, 55, a construction worker who is a sea turtle patroller at night, waits for his coworker outside his home in San Juan, La Union, Philippines, January 13, 2023. Manlugay, who used to hunt sea turtles and their eggs, now uses his skills to find the nests and turn them over to CURMA, or the Coastal Underwater Resource Management Action, which has turned poachers like him into its allies by offering them incentives and training, allowing it to save thousands of turtles and their eggs from ending up in markets and on plates. "I've learned to love this work," said Manlugay. "We didn't know poaching was illegal and that we should not eat turtle eggs and meat." REUTERS/Eloisa Lopez SEARCH "LOPEZ PHILIPPINES TURTLES" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES. 

A rescued turtle recovers in a basin at CURMA's center in San Juan, La Union, Philippines, December 19, 2022. Set up in 2009, CURMA or Coastal Underwater Resource Management Actions, is leading the conservations programme around La Union beaches and has turned sea turtle poachers into its allies by offering them incentives and training, allowing it to save thousands of turtles and their eggs. "We talked to the poachers, and it turns out...(poaching) was just another means for them to earn a living," said Carlos Tamayo, 44, the operations director. "They had no choice." REUTERS/Eloisa Lopez SEARCH "LOPEZ PHILIPPINES TURTLES" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES. 

Nets protect the nests of olive ridley turtles in CURMA's hatchery in San Juan, La Union, Philippines, December 19, 2022. Set up in 2009, CURMA or Coastal Underwater Resource Management Actions, is leading the conservations programme around La Union beaches and has turned sea turtle poachers into its allies by offering them incentives and training, allowing it to save thousands of turtles and their eggs. "We talked to the poachers, and it turns out...(poaching) was just another means for them to earn a living," said Carlos Tamayo, 44, the operations director. "They had no choice." REUTERS/Eloisa Lopez SEARCH "LOPEZ PHILIPPINES TURTLES" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES. 

Spectators watch as olive ridley sea turtle hatchlings make their way to the sea in San Juan, La Union, Philippines, January 12, 2023. REUTERS/Eloisa Lopez SEARCH "LOPEZ PHILIPPINES TURTLES" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES. 

Boats are seen along the shore at the beach in Bacnotan, La Union, Philippines, January 12, 2023. REUTERS/Eloisa Lopez SEARCH "LOPEZ PHILIPPINES TURTLES" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES. 

Tourists dine and drink at restaurants on the beach in San Juan, La Union, Philippines, January 12, 2023. REUTERS/Eloisa Lopez SEARCH "LOPEZ PHILIPPINES TURTLES" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES. 

People walk along the shore at the beach in San Juan, La Union province, Philippines, December 20, 2022. REUTERS/Eloisa Lopez SEARCH "LOPEZ PHILIPPINES TURTLES" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES. 

Baby olive ridley sea turtles are gathered in a basin minutes after being born at CURMA's hatchery in San Juan, La Union, Philippines, January 12, 2023. Set up in 2009, CURMA or Coastal Underwater Resource Management Actions, is leading the conservations programme around La Union beaches and has turned sea turtle poachers into its allies by offering them incentives and training, allowing it to save thousands of turtles and their eggs. "We talked to the poachers, and it turns out...(poaching) was just another means for them to earn a living," said Carlos Tamayo, 44, the operations director. "They had no choice." REUTERS/Eloisa Lopez SEARCH "LOPEZ PHILIPPINES TURTLES" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES.