We call for divers’ watchfulness on Taotoï’s spot in Moorea where a sea turtle that we have been following on this spot for more than one year, thanks to photo-identification, was harpooned during the weekend of July the 1st and 2nd.
Pictures show that the harpoon pierced its cheek but finally got away, leaving the sea turtle with an open wound along the left eye. This young green sea turtle called Lysiane seems to bear its wound and does not seem to have changed its behaviour nor left its residence site.
However, it could weaken over time or its wound could get infected and if it were to be found floating in the area, please contact our association’s care centre authorized by ministerial order at 87 71 53 44 (24h/24, 7d/7).
Thanks a lot to Gaël Lagarrigue who enabled us to identify this turtle and to Frédéric Pons for his pictures that enabled us to follow it and to discover its wound !
If you wish to help us with the sea turtles photo-identification program, please send your pictures with the date and observation’s spot to temanaotemoana@mail.pf
