SAN FERNANDO, PAMPANGA -The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and local stakeholders in Aurora have stepped up to protect marine wildlife by securing nesting sites and safely releasing a trapped green sea turtle (Chelonia mydas). Two active marine turtle nests were discovered in the coastal towns of Casiguran and Dinalungan, prompting officials from the Community Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) in Casiguran to take immediate action. The conservation teams used plastic mesh screens to safeguard the eggs from predators and human disturbance, while also putting up awareness signs to caution beachgoers and coastal residents against disruptive activities until the hatchlings safely emerge.
Safe Release of an Endangered Green Sea Turtle
Alongside nesting site enforcement, environmental officers successfully tagged and released a healthy female green sea turtle into Casiguran Bay. The turtle, measuring 42 centimeters in curved carapace length and 39 centimeters in width, had been accidentally trapped in a local resident's fish corral. Rather than harvesting the creature, the fisherman promptly alerted CENRO personnel. Working alongside the Casiguran municipal environment office, teams verified the turtle's health before returning it to its natural habitat at Sitio Kataguman, Barangay Cozo.
Legal Protection and Institutional Support
The green sea turtle is globally classified as endangered under the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List. In the Philippines, the species receives strict protection under Republic Act No. 9147, or the Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act, making any unauthorized capture, injury, or trade heavily penalized. DENR Regional Executive Director Ralph Pablo commended the swift coordination between citizens and state actors, noting that this multi-tiered vigilance remains the primary defense mechanism for preserving the region's marine wildlife corridors. The successful rescue and release of the green sea turtle, along with the protection of the nesting sites, demonstrate the importance of community involvement in safeguarding endangered marine species.
