Description
Date: June 7, 2025
Location: Bay County, Florida
Circumstances: Entangled/hooked at pier
“Arrow” a sub-adult loggerhead sea turtle was accidentally hooked at the Russell Fields City Pier in Panama City Beach, Florida by recreational fishermen.
This turtle was entangled with a large wad of fishing gear and line around the left front flipper that included monofilament, hooks, and lures. There were also shallow scars around the right front flipper from entanglement gear. Radiographs showed a circle hook in the mouth as well as a hook and metal fishing line in the GI tract.
Hooks were removed from the mouth and gear removed from the flipper. Sea turtles often are able to pass foreign objects on their own during rehab so he/she will be closely monitored for signs of these passing. Sometimes, cotton balls are added to their food in order to help pass these objects. He/she is also being treated with antibiotics for the wound caused by the entanglement. This is Arrow’s second stranding and stay at our rehab facility.
We want to thank the staff and fishermen at the Russell Fields City Pier for their assistance with Arrow’s rescue.
