BALER, Aurora– The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), the Casiguran municipal environment office, and the Philippine Coast Guard tagged and released five female green sea turtles (𝘊𝘩𝘦𝘭𝘰𝘯𝘪𝘢 𝘮𝘺𝘥𝘢𝘴) along the coasts of Barangays Dibet, Ditinagyan, and Calabgan in Casiguran, Aurora.

The coastal and marine management unit (CMMU) of the DENR community office in Casiguran led the rescue, tagging, and release of the green sea turtles after they were accidentally trapped in fish corrals, following a report from various fisherfolk.

Ariel Mendoza, head of the Community Environment and Natural Resources Office in Casiguran, said the marine turtles were in good physical condition and had no visible injuries before their release.

“This year, we recorded the two largest marine turtles caught in Baklad. 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,” Mendoza said.

He added that in accordance with standard wildlife protocols, the CMMU team promptly released the two largest marine turtles into Casiguran Bay, along with three others measuring 46, 44, and 43.3 centimeters in CCL and 41.7, 41, and 42.5 centimeters in CCW, respectively.

Meanwhile, DENR Regional Executive Director Ralph Pablo underscored the community and local authorities’ awareness and involvement in the rescue, tagging, and release of the marine turtles, which demonstrate the importance of strengthened collaboration in marine wildlife conservation.“

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 remarked.

Pablo also urged the public to remain vigilant in protecting marine turtles and their habitats to help prevent incidents of accidental capture and disturbance. (DENR Central Luzon PR)