Endangered sea turtle released off Zamboanga coast

ZAMBOANGA CITY – A giant sea turtle, considered one of the  endangered species, got a new lease on life after a fisherman engaged in illegal net-fishing that caught it turned over the turtle to the village leaders of Bolong, east coast of this city Sunday, officials said.

City agriculturist Boy Palacad said the sea green turtle (Chelonia mydas) was accidentally captured about 6 p.m. Saturday off the shore of Bolong through the use of hulbot-hulbot, a local fishnet term.

The use of hulbot-hulbot is strictly prohibited by the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) due to its massive destruction of the corrals and fish habitats practically sweeping everything it traps.

“The fisherman may have realized that what he caught was endangered so, he immediately he turned over the turtle to the village leaders,” Palacad said.

The sea green turtle measured 92 by 82 centimeters and weighed 80 kilograms was in good condition after it got stuck on the net.

City Mayor Celso Lobregat immediately directed the assessment on the condition of the turtle and had it tagged and led the release of the turtle back to the deep.

“The city is very conscious in the conservation of turtles, specially sea green turtle save is one of the endangered species,” Lobregat said as he lauded the recognition of the local villagers in preserving the lives of endangered animals.

Science journals showed that Chelonia mydas are one of the largest turtles ranging from 71 to 153 centimeters.

They can weigh up to 205 kilograms and live about 100 years. Although, the sea green turtle can lay 200 eggs, only a few survive because of so many predators, including humans.