Rescued green sea turtle released off the coast in Bulacan

SET FREE. Benito Narciso of the Waterways Division of the City Agriculture Office brings the sea turtle rescued by fishermen from a fish trap in the coastal barangay of Pamarawan, City of Malolos, Bulacan on Friday (Dec. 13, 2019) to the Community Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO). CENRO released the turtle off the coast of Manila Bay before sunset on the same day. (Photo courtesy of the City Agriculture of Malolos via PNA)

CITY OF MALOLOS, Bulacan — A rescued green sea turtle was released off the coast of Manila Bay in this city before sunset on Friday.

Benito Narciso of the Waterways Division of the City Agriculture Office of Malolos said the sea turtle was rescued by the fishermen from a fish trap or “baklad” in the coastal barangay of Pamarawan and was turned over to the Fisheries Aquatic Resources and Marine Council of Malolos.

Jaime Magpayo, chairman of the Fisheries Aquatic Resources and Marine Council of Malolos, said they brought the turtle to the Provincial Agriculture Office of Bulacan and then referred to the Community Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) in Guiguinto town.

Provincial agriculturist Maria Gloria Carillo said CENRO has the jurisdiction over reptiles such as the green sea turtle.

“If the rescued species is strong and healthy and without major lesions, it should immediately be released off to sea. But, if the rescued one has wound, weak and needs medical attention, it should be surrendered to the DENR for checkup until ready for release to the sea,” Carillo said.

Rolly Mulato, CENRO head of Guiguinto, said the same rule applies, wherein the rescued species without any injury should be released into the sea immediately.

“The rule of thumb is to release immediately the rescued endangered animal species if it is still strong and make proper documentation on the release even on the barangay office where the animal was brought for record purposes,” Mulato said.

Meanwhile, Wilfredo Cruz, regional director of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) in Central Luzon, said the green sea turtle is an endangered animal species.

“It may have wandered in the Bulacan coastline of Manila Bay in pursuit of fish to eat since it is ‘tamban’ (sardine) season,” he said.

Cruz also said there is a strong possibility that aquatic marine species in Manila Bay are now starting to flourish because of the Manila Bay rehabilitation efforts of the government.

“Fish are now also started thriving in the once biologically dead Pasig River,” he added.