“Illegal fisher” turns over turtle trapped in his net

CEBU, Philippines — An alleged illegal fisher turned over to local authorities in Talisay City a 50-kilogram sea turtle he caught using a fine mesh net in the seawaters off Barangay Cansojong Saturday morning.

Noe Restauro, member of the Fisheries Sea Ecological Care (FISECA) of Talisay City, said a fisherman named Tata found the sea creature trapped in his fishing net. The turtle measured 28 inches long and 20 inches wide.

According to Restauro, it is in good condition and under the care of FISECA office.

He said it was caught using an illegal fishing net locally known as Liba-liba. Restauro said Liba-liba is illegal because it is a fine mesh net that is prohibited under the Fisheries Code of the Philippines because it would catch even the small fishes.

Although the fisherman admitted using an illegal fishing net, Restauro said they could not arrest him because he was not caught in the act.

He was instead thankful to the fisherman for turning over the sea turtle to them. Restauro said they have already informed the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) about it and are now waiting for the agency’s representative to visit their office. —  /FPL (FREEMAN)