Photo by: DENR Central Luzon
CASIGURAN, Aurora — Five female green sea turtles accidentally caught in fish corrals were rescued, tagged and released into Casiguran Bay, highlighting ongoing efforts to protect marine wildlife and strengthen conservation along Aurora’s coastline.
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), the Casiguran municipal environment office and the Philippine Coast Guard conducted the operation along the coastal barangays of Dibet, Ditinagyan and Calabgan following reports from local fisherfolk.
The Coastal and Marine Management Unit of the DENR Community Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) in Casiguran led the rescue, tagging and release of the turtles, scientifically known as Chelonia mydas.
CENRO Casiguran head Ariel Mendoza said all five turtles were in good physical condition and showed no visible injuries before they were returned to their marine habitat.
Photo by: DENR Central Luzon
Two of the turtles were the largest recorded by the office among those caught in fish corrals, locally known as baklad, this year. One measured 78 centimeters in curved carapace length (CCL) and 72.4 centimeters in curved carapace width (CCW), while the other measured 76 centimeters in CCL and 69.8 centimeters in CCW.
The three other turtles measured 46, 44 and 43.3 centimeters in CCL, with corresponding CCW measurements of 41.7, 41 and 42.5 centimeters, respectively.
Mendoza said the CMMU team followed established wildlife protocols in tagging and promptly releasing the turtles into Casiguran Bay.
DENR Regional Executive Director Ralph Pablo emphasized the importance of cooperation among communities and local authorities in responding to marine wildlife incidents.
“Cooperation and awareness of everybody are vital in promoting timely response to wildlife incidents and contributing to the protection and conservation of marine turtle populations, particularly in the coastal areas of Central Luzon,” Pablo said.
He also urged the public to help protect marine turtles and their habitats by remaining vigilant and avoiding activities that could disturb the animals or contribute to accidental capture.
The DENR said community awareness and coordinated action are essential to protecting marine biodiversity and ensuring the continued conservation of sea turtle populations along the region’s coastlines.