A green sea turtle found in distress with a fishing spear through its neck Monday near the Frederiksted Pier on St. Croix has been released back to the water, thanks to the quick response of the Sea Turtle Assistance and Rescue team and a host of other individuals, groups and organizations.
According to STAR, divers sent photos of the injured turtle to the nonprofit’s turtle stranding hotline and team members were able to capture the turtle and carefully remove the spear.
“Fortunately, the turtle exhibited no signs of lasting damage, and the wound was treated on site. After monitoring the turtle to ensure it was no longer bleeding and was displaying normal behavior, the team quickly released it back into the water,” according to a press release Thursday from STAR USVI Sea Turtle Stranding Coordinator Natalie Monnier.
Green sea turtles are considered Threatened under the Endangered Species Act due to human and natural impacts, so protecting their populations in the U.S. Virgin Islands is crucial, Monnier said. The USVI is home to three species of nesting sea turtles: greens, hawksbills, and leatherbacks. Green turtles may be found foraging on seagrass beds throughout the territory’s coastal waters and nesting on beaches from June to November, she noted.
So far this year, five sea turtle strandings in the territory have been linked to fishing activity, according to STAR. A stranding is when a sea turtle is found dead, injured, or exhibiting distress. In cases related to fishing, strandings can include sea turtles entangled in discarded fishing line, hooked on rod and reel, caught in nets, and injured because of spearfishing. Improper use of fishing gear puts sea turtles at risk of injury or death.
If you accidentally catch or injure a sea turtle during fishing activities, please call STAR immediately. There’s no penalty for reporting, and your quick action can help save the turtle, said Monnier. To help prevent interactions between turtles and fishing gear, STAR urges the fishing community to properly dispose of gear and practice responsible fishing by never leaving your fishing gear unattended. Sea turtles in the USVI are protected under the Endangered Species Act, which makes it illegal to harm, harass, or injure them in any way. Violations can result in severe fines and may include jail time.
STAR is a nonprofit organization of government agencies, local nonprofits, veterinarians, and dedicated volunteers. Operating across all three U.S. Virgin Islands, STAR responds to any sea turtles or hatchlings that are injured, trapped, entangled, disoriented, or dead.
To report a sea turtle to STAR, call 340-690-0474 and be ready to provide detailed information about the location of the stranding, the condition of the turtle (alive or dead), and a description of its size and any visible injuries. For more information on STAR and sea turtle conservation efforts in the USVI, visit stxturtles.com/sea-turtle-rescue or find them on Facebook and Instagram (star.usvi).
“STAR extends a huge thank you to the divers and snorkelers who reported the turtle and helped with rescue efforts, including individuals from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of Planning and Natural Resources, St. Croix Sea Turtle Project, St. Croix Ultimate Bluewater Adventures, Nep2une Scuba, Virgin Islands Port Authority, and Vivot Equipment Corporation. This sea turtle rescue would not have been possible without everyone involved,” the press release concluded.
