The Community Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) Guinobatan headed by OIC, CENR Officer Narisol C. Divina rescued and released an endangered Green Sea Turtle (Chelonia mydas) along the shoreline of Sitio Tambac at Maonon, Ligao City on February 15, 2023.

 

Through the report of Mr. Jerome Tuazon and Mr. Joseph Dayawon, personnel of a beach resort in the area, the marine turtle was found entangled in a fishing net. They immediately turnedover the turtle to the Bantay Dagat who then informed the CENRO Guinobatan through the Ligao City Environment and Natural Resources Officer Maria Soledad T. Preña.

 

Upon assessment, the CENRO Ticao-Burias Pass Protected Seascape (TBPPS) Team found the sea turtle to be in good condition with carapace length and width measuring 51 and 47 centimeters, respectively.

 

"CENRO Guinobatan continously appeals to the public to report any incidence of marine stranding to the authorities to help us in the proper assessment, handling and release of these marine species," CENRO Divina said.

 

"We are also appealing to the local communities, especially those in the coastal areas, to avoid throwing their garbage near or in the seas such as single use plastics, straws, fishing nets and the likes, as this is detrimental to the marine biodiversity," she added.

 

CENRO Divina also expressed her gratitude to the effort of the local community who contributed in the conservation and protection of wildlife species and their habitats to promote ecological balance and enhance biological diversity.

 

Green Sea Turtles are categorized as "Endangered Species" based on DENR Administrative Order (DAO) 2019-09. (With report from CENRO Guinobatan)###