A loggerhead sea turtle was successfully rescued on Thursday, May 25, at the Okaloosa Island Pier, according to Eric Brown, Manager at the Pier. The incident occurred early in the morning, adding an unexpected twist to the day’s events.
The angler who accidentally hooked the sea turtle acted responsibly, refraining from cutting the line and alerting the Pier’s dedicated Turtle Rescue team, according to Brown. The team, which is on site seven days a week and on call 24 hours a day, promptly responded to the call.
- The rescue operation was later joined by Jessica Valek, the Okaloosa Coastal Resource Coordinator. Together, the team managed to safely rescue the sea turtle and transport it to the neighboring Gulfarium CARE Center.
This particular loggerhead sea turtle is slightly unique, as it has multiple tracking tags. It will now undergo rehabilitation at the Gulfarium CARE Center, where it will receive the necessary care and attention.
The Okaloosa Island Pier operates under the Responsible Pier Initiative from Loggerhead Marinelife Center, a first-of-its-kind program designed as a collaborative tool to work directly with fishermen and fishing piers. This incident is an example of the dedication of the local community has to preserving marine life.
