Nesting Sea Turtle Entangled in Fishing-Line

This video shows the detrimental effects of so-called ghost nets on marine animals.
***Warning: GRAPHIC CONTENT***
Video Credit and Copyright: Christine Figgener

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Only a few weeks after a female was found by our research team entangled in fishing-line (https://www.youtube.com/edit?video_id=lVPSTkYihCY), we found another female during the synchronized mass-nesting in Ostional this August, also badly entangled in discarded fishing-line (also called ghost net) with her front flipper.
The female was found while nesting and had dragged a bulk of fishing net up the beach with her, including a 1kg lead weight.
Parts of the net were wrapped around her right front flipper and had started to cut into the flesh. Luckily circulation didn't seem to have been cut off and she was able to move her flipper normally, so we cut off the line and disinfected the cut with iodine.
Given our knowledge of the scarcity of sea turtle rehab facilities and lack of expert care for injured sea turtles in Costa Rica, the decision we are usually facing is either leaving the animal as is or trying to help as much as we can by removing obstructing objects.

As biologists, we don't actively seek out injured wildlife, but our research happens to position us at the front-lines of reality looking at the detrimental effects of human impact on wildlife.
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At this point, I would like to thank again everyone that donated to my GoFundMe Campaign (https://www.gofundme.com/wuhvd6zj)! Without you, this field season wouldn't have been possible and we wouldn't have been to the right time at the right place to help again. Thank you!

If you would like to find out more about our work in Costa Rica and the members of our field team 2016, Kim Lato, Derek Dunlop, Erik Beck and Marcus Saikaley, check out our field blog http://plotkinlabtamu.wixsite.com/plotkinlab/blog

If you are interested in following my adventures in the world of marine turtles and ocean conservation in general, make sure to also follow me on Social Media:

IG http://bit.ly/2Ky4DR5 - @cfiggener
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http://www.seaturtlebiologist.com

Contact Email: christine.figgener@tamu.edu
Christine Figgener, PhD

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GHOST NETS
"Ghost nets are fishing nets that have been left or lost in the ocean by fishermen. These nets, often nearly invisible in the dim light, can be left tangled on a rocky reef or drifting in the open sea. They can entangle fish, dolphins, sea turtles, sharks, dugongs, crocodiles, seabirds, crabs, and other creatures, including the occasional human diver. Acting as designed, the nets restrict movement, causing starvation, laceration and infection, and suffocation in those that need to return to the surface to breathe. " https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ghost_net

If you would like to learn more about Ghost Nets.

http://oliveridleyproject.org/what-are-ghost-nets/

https://www.mission-blue.org/2013/05/ghost-nets-among-the-gre
http://briemyre.blogspot.com/atest-killers-in-our-oceans/

http://www.ghostfishing.org/the-problem/

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Our research is approved by the US IACUC and is conducted under research permits issued by the Costa Rican government, MINAE/SINAC and CONAGEBio.

Видео Nesting Sea Turtle Entangled in Fishing-Line канала Sea Turtle Biologist