Ocean Sentry
Bermuda Aquarium, Museum and Zoo staff are now warning fishermen to dispose of line responsibly rather than leaving it as a hazard to marine life in the ocean. The female turtle was recovered from the water near Ducks Puddle Drive, Hamilton Parish, on Tuesday night. Aquarium staff transported her to BAMZ but she died on Wednesday.
Mark Outerbridge, coordinator of the Bermuda Turtle Project, said the 190lb animal would have suffered a “painful death” as the monofilament line cut into her intestines and the hook became embedded.
“This is a bycatch issue, just like longlining which kills so many turtles,” he said.
“I would urge people to dispose of their fishing line either in the garbage or by recycling it at one of 14 sites we have on the Island.”
At Flatts, a six-inch white PVC pipe is situated on the dock for such a purpose.
BAMZ staff last month rescued a stranded seal which washed up near Ariel Sands with a deep laceration to its neck caused by monofilament line. The Atlantic Harbour Seal is being treated at the Aquarium and is currently “doing fine”, according to Dr. Ian Walker, acting principal curator.
Commenting on the loggerhead turtle, Dr. Walker said: “This is just another example of the horrors of monofilament line.
“If you snag a line please do your best to get it out of the water because if you don’t, an animal will get tangled up. And if you see fishing line on a beach or wrapped on the rocks, please get rid of it because it does end up in the ocean and then causes horrific injuries.”
Turtle deaths due to entanglement are on the rise in Bermuda. Between August and October last year there were three deaths, compared to four over a year between August 2007-2008.
If you find an injured or dead turtle contact BAMZ on 293-2727.
(From royalgazette.com, Bermuda)
