Pawikan caught in Baler Bay released

BALER, Aurora – Fishermen have caught an endangered female olive ridley sea turtle, known locally as pawikan, off the coast of this capital town.

The pawikan, (scientific name lepidopchelys olivacea) measuring almost two feet long and 21 inches wide, was fished out of the Baler Bay by local fishermen Wednesday.

Victoriano San Pedro Jr., chief of the Provincial Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Office, said the fishermen turned the pawikan over to the Bantay-Dagat of the PFARO.

In turn, San Pedro turned over the pawikan to Maximo Millan, chief of the Protected Area and Wildlife Service of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) who released it off the waters of Baler Bay. San Pedro said that local fishermen have long before been told that the hunting or slaughter of pawikan is prohibited by law.

In the past, sea turtles caught by local fishermen were slaughtered and turned into pulutan. However, authorities clamped down on such illegal practice following the passage into law of RA 9147 or the Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act which, aside from hunting and slaughter, bans the destruction of nests, collection of eggs, physical abuse, nurturing, sale or purchase of sea turtle meat or its by-products. 

Violators face fines ranging between P100,000 to P1 million and a maximum prison term of 12 years. – Manny Galvez