Fishing line kills turtle

LIHUE — A green sea turtle died Sunday after becoming entangled in fishing line on Kauai’s North Shore.

Penelope Law and her husband Scott said they were snorkeling in Moloaa Bay when they spotted the animal, which initially appeared to be feeding on the rocks about 20 feet from shore.

A closer look, however, revealed that fishing line was caught around the turtle’s neck and prevented it from resurfacing for air.

“It looked like the turtle might still be alive as its eyes were partly open, but it was hard to tell how long it had been there,” Law wrote in an email.

The couple said they immediately jumped into rescue mode, got out of the water and ran over to a group of nearby fishermen to borrow a knife and cut it free.

“But alas it was already dead and one of its front flippers had been eaten off,” Law wrote. “It is hard to say if it had strangled and drowned first.”

The Laws brought the turtle onto the beach and reported it to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. It is unclear whether anyone responded to retrieve the animal.

“I just wish I had gotten there sooner,” said Penelope, adding that she feels it is important that fishermen properly discard leftover or unused line as “dead turtles can too often be the consequence.”

All fishers and beach users are encouraged to pick up and dispose of derelict netting, line or ropes found on the beach. Large pieces of debris should be reported to either the DLNR Division of Aquatic Resources at 645-0532 or the Surfrider Foundation Kauai Chapter.

Kauai Fisheries Biologist Don Heacock encouraged people to report such incidents to Kauai Police Dispatch.