1. Department of Environment [DoE] conservation officers were called to assist a sea turtle that had become entangled in discarded fishing line Saturday, 13 October, in Grand Cayman’s North Sound.

A member of the public noted the turtle, a juvenile Hawksbill, was having difficulty, but the resident couldn’t manage to assist or free it on his own. Two DoE officers responded, one by private vessel, another on a department Jet Ski, and freed the juvenile turtle, releasing it back into the sea in the Rum Point channel.

While this incident had a positive outcome, DoE conservation officers noted that they are still seeing far too many sea creatures becoming entangled in bundles of discarded fishing line.

“The conservation officers who responded Saturday pulled in a lot of fishing line from the water,” said Mark Orr, DoE chief conservation officer. “This is another reminder to the public to please recycle fishing line, rather than just tossing it away.”

DoE Research Officer Janice Blumenthal said entanglement in discarded fishing line is one of the most serious threats to juvenile turtles in Cayman. “Fishing line is nearly invisible underwater and causes drowning and severe injuries, such as flipper amputations. Even if unwanted fishing line is sent to the landfill, it can continue to entangle birds and other animals. Fishing line takes more than 600 years to degrade.”

The DoE has maintained nearly 40 recycling bins for discarded fishing line around the three islands for the past several years and advises fishermen and other members of the public to use those bins, rather than simply casting their old or used lines on the beach or into the sea. Most public boat-launching ramps have a fishing line recycling bin and many fishing stores and dive shops have the bins as well. Whether fishing from the shore or from a boat, individuals are asked to keep the unwanted fishing line until it can be deposited at a recycling location. Cayman has recycled more than 200 pounds of old and discarded fishing lines since the bins were set up.

The DoE wishes to thank the member of the public who called for assistance in rescuing the juvenile turtle from a life-threatening situation. Anyone seeing a turtle in danger around the islands may contact the DoE immediately via a 24-hour telephone hotline (938-6378) and should provide as much information about the incident as possible when calling. For more information about fishing line recycling, and/or turtles, please visit the DoE website at www.doe.ky or link to http://doe.ky/marine/fishing-line-disposal/

For more information about this incident, please contact DoE Public Education and Outreach Officer Brent Fuller by phone at 244-5984 or 922-5514 or via email [email protected] or at [email protected]. -30-

Photo: DoE Conservation Officer Carl Edwards assisted Saturday in the rescue and release of a juvenile Hawksbill turtle that was entangled in fishing line in the North Sound.