A leatherback sea turtle was freed from fishing gear in Cape Cod Bay by the Center for Coastal Studies' Marine Animal Entanglement Response team. The turtle had struggled to breathe while dragging the gear into three other fishing sets. Boaters alerted the team and were instructed to monitor the turtle from a safe distance until responders arrived. Heavy winds and rain caused delays, but the healthy 500-pound turtle was eventually freed and also had a fishing hook and line removed from its shoulder. Boaters are advised to report entangled animals and maintain safe distances.
The Center for Coastal Studies' Marine Animal Entanglement Response team successfully freed a leatherback sea turtle entangled in fishing gear in Cape Cod Bay, which had dragged the gear into three other sets of fishing gear.
The response team was alerted by boaters who spotted the distressed turtle while fishing off Sesuit Harbor and advised to stay at a safe distance until help arrived.
Despite delays caused by heavy winds and rain, a healthy 500-pound turtle was freed from the gear, which included a small fishing hook and monofilament line lodged in its shoulder.
Boaters can report an entangled animal to the National Marine Fisheries hotline or to the U.S. Coast Guard and should maintain a safe distance from the animal.
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