TACLOBAN CITY, Philippines — Environmental conservation efforts saw a positive development on Sunday, April 26, 2026, as two endangered green sea turtles were returned to the wild. The turtles, named “May” and “Laila,” were released into Cancabato Bay after being accidentally caught by local fishermen earlier that day.
The rescue began when brothers Enjie and Ernesto Soyosa, residents of Barangay Rawis Anibong, were using a longline (“kitang”) near the Leyte Park Hotel.
- The Catch: At approximately 5 p.m., they discovered the two sea turtles hooked on their lines.
- Responsible Action: Recognizing the animals as protected species, the fishermen immediately notified the city’s Fishery Law Enforcement Team (FLET) and surrendered the turtles for assessment.
Personnel from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) conducted a thorough examination to ensure the turtles were fit for return.
- Vital Statistics: Both turtles were confirmed as females. “May” measured 58 cm by 50 cm, while “Laila” was slightly smaller at 48 cm by 39 cm.
- Condition: DENR officials confirmed the animals were in good condition and free of significant injury from the accidental capture.
- Supervised Release: The release took place at Cancabato Bay under the supervision of FLET and DENR representatives to ensure the turtles safely navigated back into deeper waters.
The green sea turtle (Chelonia mydas) is currently classified as endangered. Major threats to the species in the Philippines include:
- Habitat Loss: Degradation of nesting beaches and feeding grounds.
- Bycatch: Accidental capture in fishing gear, similar to the Soyosa brothers’ incident.
- Illegal Trade: Poaching for shells, meat, and eggs.
Authorities highly commended the Soyosa brothers for their honesty and quick response. The DENR reminds the public that under Philippine law, it is mandatory to report and turn over any accidentally caught protected marine species.
“Protecting these species is a collective responsibility. We encourage other fishermen to follow this example to help preserve our marine biodiversity,” a FLET representative stated.