Plastic ingestion suspected behind sea turtle’s death
INCREASING OCCURENCE
THE need for vigilance to keep seas free of plastic debris was underscored after a 12-kilogram female Olive Ridley sea turtle collected in San Fabian eventually died with no known cause, only with the suspicion that it died due to plastic ingestion.
It was buried at the Fish Cemetery inside the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) on April 27 where more than 30 other dolphins, butanding and other big sea creatures are buried.
BFAR-National Integrated Fisheries Technology Development Center Chief Westly Rosario said the sea turtle was turned over to them by Municipal Agriculturist Juan Juguilon Jr. on April 16 and was noticeably very weak and remained inactive, just floating on water for almost two weeks.
Since it had no wound from the outside, the suspicion was it likely ingested plastic which was an increasing occurrence among sea creatures. (PhilStar Wire Service/ECV)
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