Green sea turtle rescued, released in Cagayan

TUGUEGARAO CITY—A green sea turtle (Chelonia mydas) was successfully released back into its natural habitat in Barangay Minanga Weste, Buguey town, Cagayan on Saturday, May 30, coast guard officials reported Sunday.

The Coast Guard Sub-station Buguey stated that fisher Edison Ragudo, 49, accidentally caught the marine mammal in his fish net on May 29.

READ: Blast fishing eyed in stranding of whales, dolphin in Ilocos

Ragudo promptly untangled the turtle and turned it over to the Philippine Coast Guard.

After coordinating with workers from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and disaster response volunteers, the turtle was returned to the sea at 8:40 a.m. on May 30.

Lawyer Ismael Manaligod, the DENR-Cagayan Valley regional executive director, said environment workers in the region are campaigning for “intensified conservation efforts” to ensure the survival of green sea turtles. 

The agency advocates for the protection of nesting beaches and foraging habitats, in addition to imposing regulations against poachers. /dp