A FEMALE Olive Ridley sea turtle locally known as “pawikan” was accidentally trapped in the fishing net of two fishermen at Barangay Central Tabao in Valladolid town early morning Wednesday, July 31.
Emma Flores-Arandilla, focal person for solid waste management of the Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Office (Menro), said the fishermen were at the “Tangaban Trese” fishing area at 1 a.m. when the sea turtle was trapped in their net.
Flores-Arandilla said the fishermen brought the “pawikan” at the coastline, then reported to authorities the incident.
The sea turtle has a length of three feet and width of 28 inches. It weighs about 65 kilograms.
Menro personnel along with those of the Philippine National Police and Bantay Dagat inspected the animal.
No injuries were found, Flores-Arandilla said, adding that the sea turtle was then released back to the sea.
“Our fisherfolk in the area are already trained on how to respond to these incidents especially on how to handle stranded sea animals,” she added.
Though, they continue to remind all fishing communities in the locality to immediately report to authorities if in case “pawikan” or other sea creatures are found in their area.