The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) in Negros Oriental is urging coastal communities to help protect marine creatures by cooperating with authorities in stranding response.
Jimmy Panebio, the provincial DENR chief, said on Friday, August 28, that the rescue of an endangered hawksbill turtle in Sibulan town on Thursday was an example of how collaboration can aid in the protection and preservation of marine species.
“We now have in custody an adult hawksbill turtle, which a fisherman found close to the shore on Thursday afternoon, and showed signs of weakness and was unable to return to deeper waters,” Panebio said.
Jay Jabagat spotted the “weakened” hawksbill turtle while fishing offshore at Barangay Poblacion, Sibulan, on Thursday afternoon, brought it to shore, and called the municipal agriculturist’s office.
The DENR-Tañon Strait Protected Seascape authorities were also informed about the stranding and sent personnel to help facilitate the rescue.
A DENR metal tag was found on the hawksbill turtle, an indication that another DENR office previously encountered it, Panebio said.
Turtle tags are small, durable metal or alloy identification clips attached to a sea turtle’s flipper. They help researchers monitor the turtles’ movements, growth, and survival over time.
Initial observation showed that the turtle had no physical injuries but was weak and unresponsive, prompting field personnel to place it under observation for a few days until it was ready to be released back into the sea.
The marine turtle, bearing Tag No. PH 0290E, is now at the Bantay Dagat outpost in Barangay Cangmating, Sibulan.
Panebio said they are asking the DENR’s Biodiversity Management Bureau to identify the tag and other key details of the hawksbill turtle.
He emphasized that a coastal community’s awareness, education, and quick response matter in the efforts to save a distressed marine creature.
The hawksbill turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata) is listed as “critically endangered” under the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s Red List of Threatened Species.*PNA
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