A call coming into the NMB STP Hotline from the Cherry Grove Pier. A Sea Turtle accidentally caught. A local fisherman Mason Holeman had accidentally caught a Sea Turtle. Mason and his sister Sashah Holman did everything right. They were close enough to shore to slowly and gently bring this juvenile Kemps Ridley to shore, once close enough they used the net. This net was specifically designed and donated from the NMB STP just for instances like this.
Lucky for this little juvenile Kemps Ridley, the line had wrapped around him and no hooks were swallowed. Working quickly the NMB STP examined this Sea Turtle for other injuries or signs of other hooks that may have been swallowed previously. Working with SCDNR, it was good news for this little Kemps Ridley. We had gotten the ok to release him/her back into the ocean a little further away from the pier.
A little about what to do if you accidentally hook a Sea Turtle. If on Cherry grove pier or Apache Pier, there are nets specially designed to bring up a hooked Sea Turtle.
1. Please do not just cut the line and let it go. If in NMB or Apache Pier please call the NMB STP Hotline. This is monitored 24 hours a day. They will immediately be on the way.
2. It is critical to use the Sea Turtle drop net. It is very important not to bring up the Sea Turtle on the pier by just reeling in the fishing line. This could cause much damage and could lead to his/her death. It is very important to bring this Sea Turtle up using the Sea Turtle drop net.
2.If on Shore, please slowly and gently reel, the Sea Turtle into shore.
3. Please leave at least 2 feet of line so the Sea Turtle Hospital will have something to work with
4. The STP will give directions on what to do until they arrive. Once the trained and permitted STP arrive, they will work with SCDNR to access its condition and will begin transport to the SC Sea Turtle Hospital in Charleston or released once evaluated.
All Sea Turtles are endangered. They are Federally and State Protected. Special guideline's, training and permits are required to work with Nesting Sea Turtles, Nest and Stranded Sea Turtles.
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