Guimaras Fisherfolk Rescues Sea Turtle

A local fisherfolk from Nueva Valencia, Guimaras turned over a sea turtle to the Igang Marine Station (IMS) of the Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center/Aquaculture Department (SEAFDEC/AQD).

Felix Magon, a resident of Brgy. Pandaraonan in Nueva Valencia, said the marine animal was caught in his fish cage. He then turned over the sea turtle in the morning of May 18 to the staff of IMS for checking and cleaning.

Eva Aldon, SEAFDEC/AQD media consultant, said the sea turtle will undergo assessment. “A technical team from SEAFDEC/AQD’s Fishworld Museum will perform the assessment,” she said.

She said that the public particularly local fisherfolks have become more aware on proper protocols in rescuing and releasing turtles. “They have become more aware on the proper way of handling washed up or injured sea turtles,” she added.

SEAFDEC is an international organization dedicated to sustainable fisheries development in Southeast Asia. Its AQD, established in 1973 and based in Iloilo, is mandated to promote aquaculture research and development.

SEAFDEC/AQD IMS, situated southwest portion of Guimaras, maintains hundreds of broodstock of various commercially important species that provide eggs for research and production runs.

Meanwhile, FishWorld, in Tigbauan, Iloilo, is SEAFDEC/AQD’s museum-aquarium and visitor center dedicated to aquatic science and environment education. (JBG/LTP/PIA-Iloilo)