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HomeLatest NewsString of sea life casualties raises concerns on beaches

String of sea life casualties raises concerns on beaches

It’s been a rough few weeks for marine life on the Northern Beaches with two protected species washed up on shores dead and another admitted into Taronga wildlife surgery.

Unfortunately, every case was believed to be the result of fishing-related incidents.

The first case happened two weeks ago when a green sea turtle, known to locals around Cabbage Tree Bay as Brownie, was spotted by a snorkeler and then rescued with the assistance of Marine Wildlife Rescue. Brownie had a fish hook in its left flipper, fishing line entangled on its right flipper, and some swallowed.

Brownie being rescued by divers.

Rescuers removed the line around the flipper before taking the turtle to the Taronga Wildlife Hospital, where it was examined by the hospital team and SASH vets.

A CT scan and endoscopy were soon performed to determine the extent of any internal injury. The hook in the flipper was removed under anaesthetic. The team also monitored Brownie to see if the swallowed fishing line would pass without surgical intervention.

Eventually, 167cm of fishing line was defecated and curiously, so were large amounts of human hair.

Brownie is now out of intensive care and feeding well but will continue to be monitored to ensure that all fishing line has been passed, and passing normal faeces. This is not the first time the local has been abducted from his home in the name of health either. In 2020 the turtle was taken to the hospital after a local was concerned about algae growth on its shell.

Brownie being attended to by Taronga hospital staff.

The second case happened last Thursday, 30 January, when a juvenile dusky whaler shark was found deceased on Manly Beach. Local shark enthusiast and founder of Marine Life Rangers, David ‘Sharky’ Baxter performed an amateur autopsy on the animal, believing it was a fishing-related death.

“That shark that washed in and had a heap of small hooks in its mouth and throat, the kind that you would use for catching brim and stuff like that. The shark quite happily takes more bait and fishermen will see them as an annoyance,” Sharky said.

“This fisherman basically had the shits with it, pulled it in and said, Well, you’re not going to get my bait again there, and they’ve belted it. So when I peeled the skin back on its head, you can see marks which were consistent with blunt force trauma of sorts.”

Dusky whaler found washed up at Manly, 30 January.

Cabbage Tree Bay is a reserve home to over 150 species, including dusky whaler sharks. These sharks spend their early stages there before embarking on vast migrations spanning thousands of kilometres. Outside of this reserve, the species is no longer protected.

However, the fact the shark was found washed up on Manly Beach as a juvenile raises suspicion of potential foul play.

A juvenile dusky whaler in Cabbage Tree Bay. Source: Northern Beaches Council.

The third incident came just a day after the shark on Friday, 31 January,  when a different green sea turtle was found washed up and deceased on Dee Why beach.

The turtle was taken to Taronga’s Wildlife Hospital by WIRES where hospital staff conducted an autopsy on the marine animal, concluding another possible fishing-related death.

“The turtle also presented skin contusions and indentations starting at the base of one flipper and radiating across the skin in front of the plastron. The diameter and pattern of the lesions, together with fluid found in the trachea and lungs is highly suggestive of rope entanglement and drowning,” a statement from Taronga to Manly Observer said.

“Loss of tissues along the front edge of the right flipper appears to have been inflicted by a sharp instrument after the death of the turtle.”

A green sea turtle found washed up on Dee Why Beach, Friday 31 January.

These cases are tragic but serve as a reminder to always properly dispose of fishing hooks and lines and to keep our beaches and waterways litter-free.

“Hooks and fishing line can often be fatal for animals, causing significant internal injuries including intestines to concertina. While Brownie is lucky to have been found by a caring individual and able to receive treatment at the Taronga Wildlife Hospital, not all wildlife are as lucky,” a statement from Taronga continues.

“Brownie’s case is a reminder that we share our spaces with wildlife and we all have the power to protect. Through simple steps such as disposing of hooks and line responsibly, and keeping our beaches and waterways litter-free, we can all help to care for wild animals and keep them safe.”

View local tangle bin locations here.

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