Critically endangered turtle rescued from fishing net, released in Rakhine

A nearly extinct species of leatherback sea turtle was caught in a fishing net in Myebon Township, Rakhine State, and released by residents, according to local sources. The turtle, Dermochelys coriacea, is nearly extinct in the world, and was caught on 16 July on a beach near Shintaung village.
“It was caught in our fishing net. The turtle was very, very big and still alive. The locals have never caught one of this size before. As it also seemed to be a rare species, it has been released,” said a news source from Rakhine State.
Of the seven species of sea turtles in the world, five kinds: hawksbill turtle, green turtle, olive ridley, loggerhead and leatherback turtle can be found in Myanmar, which are considered endangered species. The species is also being killed by accidental catches, and the most common fishing methods involved in these incidents are trawls, long-line nets, gillnets, and trammel/Seine nets and among others.
The leatherback turtle, whose scientific name is Dermochelys coriacea, is the world’s largest sea turtle. It has five longitudinal ridges on its body, a thick, flexible back, and a special circulatory system. Its body structure, with a high fat content in its skin, allows it to survive in extremely cold water, and it is an omnivorous animal, with its most common food being jellyfish and squid. — Htet Oo Maung/ZN/Ed

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