Fisherman rescues another endangered sea turtle

By: Glazyl Y. Masculino

BACOLOD City – A fisherman in Valladolid town rescued another Hawksbill sea turtle in the waters of Barangay Bagumbayan last Monday.

Mark Cabrillos, staff from the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (Mdrrmo), said the turtle trapped in a fishing net of a motorized banca was found by Jerry Tuvilla.

Cabrillos said the turtle weighed one and a half kilogram, 42 centimeters long and 34 centimeters wide. The turtle was unscathed.

Tuvilla turned over the turtle to Barangay Kagawad Eusebio Samodio, who also coordinated with the Municipal Environment Natural Resources Office (Menro) for its proper disposition.

It was released back to the sea after being tagged by the Community Environment and Natural Resources Office (Cenro)-Bago.

Last week, a Hawksbill sea turtle trapped in a fish net at Barangay Central Tabao was also rescued by a fisherman, and last month, another turtle locally known as “pawikan” was also rescued at the said village.

Menro is intensifying its information and education campaign on proper handling and rescuing of these animals because according to the authorities, sea animals like turtles, whale sharks and Rizzos dolphins normally “appear” during the period from July to December.

A cleanup activity in coastal communities in the town will be held on Aug 22, 2019 to prevent stranded sea animals from being tangled by fishing nets and other garbage, and eradicate plastics that can poison them.