“Attention boaters!” called out the Marine Education, Research and Rehabilitation Institute Sunday evening.
The institute warned of a leatherback sea turtle believed to be entangled in conch pot gear, with a red and white buoy attached to the gear wrapped around its neck. Last sighted about four miles off the coast between South Bethany and Fenwick Island, the turtle remains in danger of drowning.
MERR Institute and the Coast Guard out of Indian River went out Sunday looking to free the creature from its tangles, according to the institute, but failed to locate the turtle in choppy waters and poor visibility. A private boater had similar challenges earlier when they followed the endangered turtle before crews arrived, only to lose sight of it as winds picked up.
There have been no other confirmed sightings as of Monday morning.
“We hope people can just have it on their radars, maybe they see the buoy,” said Executive Director Suzanne Thurman Monday. “We’re just hoping someone else sees it.”
What should you do if you spot the turtle?
The institute posted to social media urging any fisherman or other boaters to call (302) 228-5029 if they have any sightings of the turtle. It’s likely a 6-foot-long creature with massive flippers, dark in color with its well-known leatherback shell.
“If sighted please try to stand by until rescuers can get back out there,” the post cautioned. “Otherwise we are unlikely to spot the turtle. Please share this post with fellow boaters and conch fishermen.”
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The nonprofit focused on conserving marine mammals and sea turtles warned that the gear may still be in place, with the turtle tethered to it, or it could be free swimming but unable to dive. MERR Institute urges anyone with possible information to get in contact.
“We would appreciate any location info that could help us rescue this gigantic creature before it drowns.”
