Mati Fisherman caught Green Sea Turtle

DAVAO CITY — A fisherman in Mati City accidentally caught a Green Sea Turtle while fishing in Dahican, Mati City, Davao Oriental Saturday, February 14, 2023.

Tata Bantilis quickly turned over the injured turtle to the Mati Watersports Association (MWA) members. After a thorough inspection, the turtle was released rapidly back into the sea by the MWA.

The Green Sea Turtle measures a width of 28 cm, and 57 cm in length with a 4 cm head length and 18 cm long flipper.

The MWA volunteers ensured the turtle’s minor injury was addressed before it was deemed safe to release back into the seas.

Previous reports from Tagum city-based conservation group Amihan sa Dahican-Save our Seas (SOS) released over 105,000 baby turtles into the sea of Dahican in the City of Mati since 2019.

Classified as endangered, green turtles are threatened by overharvesting their eggs, hunting adults, being caught in fishing gear, and losing nesting beach sites.