Endangered sea turtle accidentally caught by fisherman released back to sea

Claveria, Cagayan – An accidentally caught female Green Sea Turtle was released back to the shoreline at the marine protected area of Taggat Norte, Claveria, Cagayan on Tuesday, April 2.

Green Sea Turtles are endangered species and their populations for over the past half century have dwindled by 90 percent.

One of said specie was accidentally caught by a fisherman from Fuga Island and turned over it to authorities 7 a.m. on April 2.

Coast Guard Sub-Station Claveria promptly coordinated with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources – Sanchez Mira for tagging prior to it being returned to its natural habitat. Tagging of animals belonging to endangered species is vital for research and conservation purposes.

During the process, it was known that the turtle weighed 11.6 kg and measures 48 cm in length and 45 cm in width.

To recall, it was also on January this year that a sea turtle, identified as a vulnerable Olive Ridley female sea turtle, was spotted and released back into the sea.

Locally known as 'pawikan,' said sea turtles are considered vulnerable by the International Union for Conservation of Nature, indicating a high risk of extinction in the wild.