A critically endangered hawksbill sea turtle was rescued by a fisherman in Capiz as he quickly alerted authorities upon finding the marine reptile trapped in a fishing net, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) said.
Local fisherman Arnold Bongalonta found the young hawksbill sea turtle trapped in a fishing net off the coast of Barangay Talon, Roxas City, and he promptly notified the authorities.
‘By immediately reporting this entanglement, he saved a critically endangered life and proved that our local fishers are indispensable partners in conservation,’ Environment Secretary Juan Miguel ‘Mitch’ Cuna said in a statement on Monday. Following the report, which was relayed through the Philippine Coast Guard, the DENR Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office-Capiz immediately dispatched its Conservation and Development Section personnel to carry out the continuation of the rescue.
‘Coordinated action saves lives, and we strongly encourage the public to follow his lead,’ Cuna said, referring to Bongalonta.
‘Please report any stranded or trapped marine wildlife to the DENR or local authorities immediately so we can ensure our seas remain safe sanctuaries for these vulnerable species,’ he added.
The rescued turtle is a juvenile hawksbill listed as Critically Endangered on the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List.
The species measured 31 centimeters in curved carapace (upper hard shell) length and 29 centimeters in width.
An assessment by DENR personnel found no visible injuries or signs of distress, allowing the turtle to be released back into its natural habitat at around 2 p.m. the same day.
The hawksbill sea turtle is protected under Republic Act No. 9147, or the Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act. /apl