WAKULLA COUNTY, Fla. (WTXL) - Gulf Specimen Marine Lab released several turtles rescued through a new initiative on Thursday.
The initiative is meant to save turtles from the harm they could face when accidentally hooked by fishermen.
Experts say that if the hooks are pulled out of the turtles in the wrong way, they can cause more damage.
The marine labs initiative includes nets being put around the docks that people tend to fish around. People can then use the nets to catch the turtle and put them on the dock safely where experts can come and extract the hooks safely.
"We saved two turtles today, we actually have more that are still being recovered, that had swallowed hooks," said Jack Rudloe. "By well meaning people, people fish and a turtle, especially Kemp's Ridleys, will tend to bite the line and if they swallow the hook, you can do one of two things: you can cut the line and go off and maybe let it die or you can take it to us."
The marine lab says they are hoping to place more nets in the area.
