Seafdec FishWorld

11/05/2026

𝗦𝗘𝗔𝗙𝗗𝗘𝗖/𝗔𝗤𝗗 𝗿𝗲𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗻𝘀 𝗿𝗲𝗵𝗮𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗴𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗻 𝘀𝗲𝗮 𝘁𝘂𝗿𝘁𝗹𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝘄𝗶𝗹𝗱
The SEAFDEC Aquaculture Department’s (SEAFDEC/AQD) FishWorld Museum released a juvenile green sea turtle (𝘊𝘩𝘦𝘭𝘰𝘯𝘪𝘢 𝘮𝘺𝘥𝘢𝘴), locally known as “pawikan,” back into the sea last 24 April 2026 after several months of rehabilitation.

The turtle was originally rescued in Barangay Sinugbuhan, San Joaquin, Iloilo, and turned over by the Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Office (MENRO) of San Joaquin to FishWorld on 18 November 2025.

At the time of rescue, the turtle was observed to be weak and not feeding, prompting immediate care and monitoring. After five months of rehabilitation, the turtle’s health and condition improved.

At the time of release, the juvenile measured 39 centimeters in curved carapace length, 36 centimeters in curved carapace width, and weighed six kilograms.

06/05/2026

𝗟𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗯𝗮𝗰𝗸 𝗦𝗲𝗮 𝗧𝘂𝗿𝘁𝗹𝗲: 𝗥𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗚𝗶𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗦𝗲𝗮𝘀
The leatherback sea turtle (𝘋𝘦𝘳𝘮𝘰𝘤𝘩𝘦𝘭𝘺𝘴 𝘤𝘰𝘳𝘪𝘢𝘤𝘦𝘢) is the largest living sea turtle and one of the most unique, with a body covered with leathery skin instead of a hard shell. These ocean wanderers can grow over two meters long and weigh up to 900 kilograms.

In the Philippines, leatherbacks are rarely encountered. From 2000 to 2016, only four individuals were recorded around Panay and Guimaras by SEAFDEC FishWorld, highlighting how uncommon encounters are.

On 18 April 2026, a female leatherback turtle was reported stranded in Brgy. Sta. Rosa, Guimbal, Iloilo, about five kilometers from SEAFDEC/AQD. It had an approximate body weight of 150 kilograms, a curved carapace length of 118 centimeters, and a curved carapace width of 86 centimeters.

Despite immediate response efforts, the turtle was found lifeless and subsequently brought to FishWorld Museum for examination and preservation.

Learn more about FishWorld’s encounter with sea turtles in “Where Sea Turtles Meet People and Fisheries: Citizen Research for Conservation” by Dr. Teodora Bagarinao.
http://hdl.handle.net/10862/6630
http://hdl.handle.net/10862/6630
http://hdl.handle.net/10862/6630

04/05/2026

30/04/2026

Seafdec FishWorld 🐢🐠🫶

22/04/2026

FishWorld Museum on 24 Oras 🌊🐢

Thank you for featuring FishWorld and helping us share the importance of protecting our oceans.

Every wave matters. Every creature counts. 💙

18/04/2026

On 18 April 2026, at approximately 11:30 am, Fishworld received a report regarding a stranded female Leatherback sea turtle located along the coastal area of Barangay Sta. Rosa, Guimbal, Iloilo.

Upon receipt of the report, Fishworld personnel were immediately deployed to the site to conduct assessment and implement possible rescue interventions. However, upon arrival, the specimen was confirmed to be already deceased.

Initial field measurements indicated that the sea turtle had an approximate body weight of 150 kgs, a curved carapace length (CCL) of 118 cm, and a curved carapace width (CCW) of 86 cm.

The carcass was subsequently retrieved and transported to Fishworld for proper preservation and further examination in accordance with standard protocols.

17/04/2026

06/02/2026

21/01/2026