An Olive Ridley (Lepidochelys olivacea) sea turtle entangled in a fishing net in Barangay Suay, Himamaylan City, Negros Occidental was rescued by two fishermen.
Brothers Joemar Avanceña and Ronel Avanceña found the trapped Olive ridley while they were fishing at the mouth of Ilog–Hilabangan River at So. Mapaet on Monday, Feb. 6.
The turtle measuring 63 centimeters in length and 65 centimeters in width was released back to the sea through the assistance of the City Environment and Natural Resources Offices of Himamaylan and Kabankalan.
The 30-kilogram turtle was released with a tag (PH126K) to protect and monitor its movement in the open sea.
The Olive Ridley is a small sea turtles and has powerful jaws for an omnivore diet of crustaceans such as crabs and shrimps.
Its name is derived from its olive-colored carapace. It is listed as Vulnerable (VU) in the Red List of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
“We are thankful for the ready help that are usually given by our fishermen and local folks especially in the coastal areas where marine turtles are rescued. Such actions contribute not only to the conservation of these marine turtles, but also to the preservation of our rich marine biodiversity as well,” said DENR-6 regional executive director Livino B. Duran.
“Protecting the environment is not the sole job of the DENR. We need all the help that our communities can give to protect and conserve our natural resources,” he added.DENR-6/IMT
