Sea turtle found trapped in fish cage in Tacloban City dies

TACLOBAN CITY – A green sea turtle, found trapped in a fish cage on Jan. 16, died the following day.

A report from the Fishery Law Enforcement Team (FLET) of the Tacloban City government on Monday, Jan. 19, said the turtle, estimated to be between five and eight years old, was discovered inside a fish cage owned by Domingo Tonod in Sitio Kaliro, Barangay Diit.

Tonod immediately contacted FLET for assistance in rescuing the animal.

Upon examination, the turtle appeared weak and was later found to have ingested plastic debris which it had mistaken for food.

Despite efforts to save the turtle, it died on Jan. 17.

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The turtle was buried along the shore near Leyte Park Hotel, Magsaysay Boulevard at around 4 p.m.

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FLET has urged the public to dispose of waste properly to protect marine life.

Meanwhile, Tacloban City Mayor Alfred Romualdez expressed outrage after receiving a report of human waste being dumped along the shore of Magsaysay Boulevard by a private company on Jan. 16.

Three suspects, employees of a septic services provider, were caught.

READ: What sea turtles can teach us about survival

They are currently detained at the Tacloban City Police Station and face charges for violating Republic Act 9275 (Clean Water Act of 2004), Republic Act 9003 (Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000), and Presidential Decree 1586 (Philippine Environmental Impact Statement System).

The city government, Romualdez said, continues to enforce strict measures to safeguard the environment and marine ecosystems.