IPIL, Zamboanga Sibugay— Environmental officials said a female green sea turtle was safely released back into the ocean after it got caught in a fishing net off the coast of Zamboanga del Norte.
A local resident named Malse Balase saw the trapped turtle in Barangay Siparok, Jose Dalman and quickly reported it. Staff from the Community Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) Manukan, led by Coastal Resources Management Unit Chief Jim V. Montejar, went to the area to check on the turtle.
The green sea turtle was 70 centimeters long and 64 centimeters wide across its shell. The team found no injuries, hooks, or other dangers to its health. Following usual marine monitoring steps, officials tagged the turtle’s left flipper as PH0543K and its right flipper as PH0544K before letting it go in Barangay Siparok that same day.
Officials thanked the community for their actions and reminded them not to disturb, catch, or keep marine wildlife. The agency urged the public to report any sightings or accidental captures to the nearest Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) office.
Why This Is Important
The green sea turtle (Chelonia mydas) is an endangered species. Quick rescues help prevent them from drowning in fishing gear, which is still one of the main threats to their survival.
Officials underscore the important role coastal communities play in protecting wildlife. They urged residents to report sightings right away so that trained teams can tag, measure, and safely release marine animals. It will help gather important data for tracking migration and population in the region.
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