2 turtles caught by Mindoro fishermen released to the sea
CITY OF CALAPAN—A 25-kilo female turtle accidentally caught in the hook of a fisherman was rescued by villagers at around noontime on Sunday in waters off Barangay (village) Balite in this city and released to the sea on Monday morning.
Village Councilor Reyman Pajardo said they confiscated the animal from the fisherman who accidentally caught the turtle in his hook and wanted to butcher it.
“He said he had no catch and spent fuel in hauling the animal but we told him it was illegal to do so as the animal was an endangered species,” he said.
The turtle, whose carapace measures 25 inches long and 22 inches wide, was described by environment officials as a loggerhead type distinguished mainly by a large head and strong jaws and its shell, which is reddish brown, and underbelly that is pale yellow.
It suffered an injury on the left neck area and was placed on a basin by Pajardo.
Early Monday morning, Pajardo informed the City Fishery Management Office (CFMO) about the catch which in turn immediately contacted the provincial environment and natural resources office which tagged the turtle Ph19617.
Its injury was treated with a betadine antiseptic solution before being brought to the open sea and released.
“The moment it reached the water, it disappeared as it swam fast into the sea,” said Pajardo.
Marius Panahon, aquaculturist at the CFMO, noted that Balite is part of the Verde Island Passage and the Coral Triangle, internationally known for its high marine biodiversity.
On May 25, at around 4:30 a.m., a green turtle, which weighed around 40 kilos, was found nesting in the coastal water off Lazareto village in Harka Piloto fish sanctuary area, also in Calapan City and was released into the sea on the same day.
Since the nesting area was rocky, the local residents brought the turtle, through a small boat, to the next coastal village of Suqui where it was eventually set free at around 10 a.m.
