Fisherfolk now more protective of sea mammals
A rare sea turtle weighing 12 kilograms was recently released to the sea by the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) three days after it was surrendered by fishermen from San Fabian after getting caught on their net.
Dr. Westly Rosario, chief of the BFAR’s National Integrated Fisheries Technology Development Center (NIFTDC), thanked the fishermen for surrendering the turtle, identified to be one of the endangered species in the country.
The turtle, which has a back load as big as a water basin, was nursed for a few days then later tagged with a metal for identification before it was brought Wednesday morning five to six kilometers away from the shore in Bonuan Binloc where it was released.
Rosario noted the increased level of awareness among fishermen on the need to preserve endangered large sea animals or mammals and fish since the first fish cemetery was opened at the NIFTDC to bury dead species.
He said no new dead sea mammals have been being buried in the cemetery, an indication that people, especially fishermen, are now kinder to the sea creatures.
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