Friday, December 13, 2013

2 Sea Turtles in the custody of a boatman in Boracay, confiscated

Written by Jay-ar Arante

Two sea turtles have been confiscated from the custody of a boatman in Boracay Island.

This is after the authorities discovered that the said boatman is keeping 2 hawksbill turtles on his motorboat used for island hopping.

According to Marine Biologist Felix Balquin of the Malay Agriculture’s Office, the sea turtles, which were in the care of the boatman for quite a while, were confiscated through the joint efforts of the PNP Maritime and “Bantay Dagat” or “Sea Patrols.”

Balquin said that one of the hawksbill turtles is 31 cm. long and 20 cm. wide, while the other measures 27 cm in length and 22 cm.

The sea turtles were immediately brought to the Malay Agriculture’s Office (MAO) to check its condition before returning them back at sea.

Meanwhile, Balquin added, they will not be filing a case against the boatman since he coordinated and cooperated with the authorities to surrender the hawksbill turtles.

The Hawksbill Turtle is a type of sea turtle known for its distinct beak-like mouth and is considered to be an endangered species.

Translated by Shelah Casiano

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