A few days ago, Te mana o te moana teams were alerted by Matthieu Petit, marine biologist, founder and guide of Moorea Ocean Adventures, after the discovery of a lifeless green turtle, hooked at the fin at a 14 meters depth at the entrance to a Moorea pass.
After cutting the line by which the turtle was held at depth, it was brought to the surface. Unfortunately, death was immediately confirmed.
The autopsy carried out by Dr Cecile Gaspar, veterinary surgeon and co-founder of the association, after discussions with the Direction of the Environment of French Polynesia, confirmed that the turtle was an immature male green turtle, 74 cm in shell length, weighing 70 kilos and in good physical condition.
Unfortunately, the hook stuck in the muscles of its flipper and the strength of the nylon thread caught in the coral spats prevented it from freeing itself and it drowned. This is the 3rd time that a similar drowning case has occurred, resulting in the death of the animal due to abandoned hooks. Since the beginning of May, this is also the 3rd case of turtles taken in by the association due to hooks (2 previous cases due to ingestion).
** It is essential to remember that abandoning fishing equipment in the ocean can lead to the death of marine animals. Please do not leave anything in the sea that could endanger them **
*Sea turtle rehabilitation center authorized by the Direction of the Environment of French Polynesia
Partners : Pacific Beachcomber, InterContinental Tahiti Resort & Spa, Vilebrequin, Air Tahiti Nui, Air Tahiti, Jean-François Clervoy, Frank Lehot , Hinerava, The Brando, Tetiaroa Society, Polynésie Voyages, IFBD, Le poids du vivant , Aremiti Tahiti – Moorea, Hello Scoot, Visa 1er Secours, Suites Mana et My Turquoise Pro.
