A green sea turtle tangled in fishing line has been successfully rescued in the Lord Howe Island Marine Park 
waters off Old Settlement Beach. A visitor staying at Milky Way Resort reported that he had spotted the injured turtle at Sylphs Hole reef.
Marine Park staff was assisted by Lord Howe Island Board staff in a search and rescue for the injured turtle. The team snorkelled out to where the turtle was located, managed to capture the turtle and load it onto the ‘Adventure One’ glass bottom boat.
A fishing hook was deeply embedded in the turtle’s right shoulder and the fishing line had wrapped around one of the flippers and was caught inside the turtle’s mouth. The hook and fishing line were successfully removed and the female green turtle, weighing over 80kg, was taken to the beach and quickly examined for any further injuries before being returned to the water.
The green turtle, estimated to be over 40 years of age swam away swiftly and showed signs of a rapid recovery.
Green turtles are classified as vulnerable under the NSW Threatened Species Conservation Act 1995 and the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999.
Marine Park staff would like to thank the local community who all assisted with reporting, locating and rescuing the entangled turtle. A good result all round. Locals and visitors are reminded to not feed the turtles within the marine park.
