SEAFDEC/AQD Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center | Aquaculture Department
By Development Communication
GUIMBAL, Iloilo – An untagged green sea turtle which was named “Evelyn” was rescued by local residents and SEAFDEC/AQD last Thursday, 25 January 2018 along the coast of Sitio Dagongdong, Nanga, Guimbal, Iloilo.
Mr. Andres Gernade, a local resident found the turtle trapped in a fish corral by the beach. It was then brought to SEAFDEC/AQD’s Tigbauan Main Station for checking and cleaning.
Ms. Hananiah Sollesta, FishWorld museum officer-in-charge, cleaned the sea turtles prior to release. She explained the importance of cleaning the turtle, “barnacles can cause damage and can disable its flippers, damage the carapace and cover eyes and ears that animals will unable to see, smell, or even survive”.
The turtle, weighing around 10 kilos with shell size of 40 by 43 cm, is now safe and healthy. Later that afternoon, “Evelyn” was released back to the wild with tag number PH1023G. According to the World Wildlife Fund, the green sea turtle is classified as one of the endangered animals in the world which makes the practice of reporting washed-off and injured turtles critical to the survival of the species.
SEAFDEC/AQD rescued 10 turtles last year and “Evelyn” is the first for 2018.
The Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center (SEAFDEC) is an international organization dedicated to sustainable fisheries development in Southeast Asia. Its Aquaculture Department (AQD), established in 1973 and based in Iloilo, is mandated to promote aquaculture research and development. FishWorld is SEAFDEC/AQD’s museum-aquarium and visitor center dedicated to aquatic science and environment education.
