Local authorities last week rescued and freed a green sea turtle that was caught in the nets of fishermen in Lapu-Lapu City.
Barangay Captain Cyrus Iyas of San Vicente in Olango Island, Lapu-Lapu City took custody of the turtle from the fishermen. He then turned it over to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources in Central Visayas (DENR-7).
The DENR-7 said in a statement that the turle, weighing eight kilos, was 48 centimeters long and 45 centimeters wide.
It was estimated to be six years old.
Iyas took the turtle from the fishermen after he learned that they caught the turtle from their fishing nets.
Regional executive director Maximo Dischoso said Iyas then reported the incident to their office.
The sea turtle was tagged on the right flipper to record what specie it was. And it was released at the Olango Island Wildlife Sanctuary on Aug. 10 by Reginald Bueno, the sanctuary’s superintendent, and Socrates Sagarino, park warden.
The green sea turtle also known as Chelonia mydas is considered as an endangered species by the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources, and Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora.
“It is highly protected from exploitation and abuse in most countries and it is illegal to collect, harm or kill them,” he said.
The green turtle is a large sea turtle of the family Cheloniidae. It has a flattened body covered by a large, teardrop-shaped carapace, and a pair of large, paddle-like flippers./Reporter CAndeze R. Mongaya