Sea turtle freed from fishing line in Haifa by three lifeguards
A combined rescue operation: three lifeguards from the Coastal Division of the Haifa Municipality spotted a large sea turtle yesterday, Tuesday, tangled in fishing line wrapped around one of its flippers. They were joined by Prof. Roee Diamant, head of a laboratory at the School of Marine Sciences at the University of Haifa, and his student Ron Benjo, after the two noticed the lifeguards trying to free the turtle. Working together, they managed to lift it out of the water.
Upon arriving at the beach, they immediately contacted the Nature and Parks Authority hotline, and within about half an hour, a marine unit inspector, Ilya Baskin, arrived at the scene and collected the sea turtle for treatment at the National Center for the Rescue of Sea Turtles in Michmoret. "We are in this area a lot and do quite a few freedives and snorkeling here," Prof. Diamant explained. "There is a very large amount of ghost nets, fishing lines and hooks that people leave behind. This is a problematic and very dangerous hazard, and unfortunately it is not at all surprising to encounter sea turtles in this area that are injured by abandoned gear."
The rescue team decided to name the turtle "Halil," after one of the lifeguards who helped rescue it. Rita Sasi, head of the Coastal Division at the Haifa Municipality, praised the lifeguards for their alertness and professionalism and said: "Our lifeguards are not only responsible for protecting swimmers' lives, they also show responsibility and commitment to the marine environment and the animals that live in it. The alertness, sensitivity and quick response shown by the lifeguards likely prevented serious harm to the sea turtle, and I am proud of them for their actions."
In an initial examination at the rescue center, it was found that the turtle in question is an adult loggerhead sea turtle, weighing 33 kilograms, strong and active. It arrived tangled in fishing line around its front left flipper. Dr. Yaniv Levy and the center's staff took in the sea turtle for initial treatment. "The sea turtle's flipper is in a state of necrosis, and an X-ray showed that it is not broken," Levy, director of the National Center for the Rescue of Sea Turtles, explained. "The turtle faces a long rehabilitation process. We hope we willצליח save the injured limb, so that we can return the sea turtle to the wild healthy and strong."
Halil received supportive treatment with fluids and medication and will remain in the coming days in a recovery tank in the intensive care room.
Haifa Mayor Yona Yahav said: "Halil, the sea turtle rescued off the coast of Haifa, reminds us all how beautiful, moving and vulnerable the nature around us is. I am proud of the Haifa Municipality lifeguards, who, with exceptional alertness, responsibility and compassion, did not limit themselves to their role of saving human lives, but acted determinedly to save an animal in distress as well. I also want to thank Prof. Roee Diamant, student Ron Benjo, the Nature and Parks Authority team and the National Center for the Rescue of Sea Turtles for the swift and professional cooperation."
Alongside the moving story, it is important to remember that fishing lines, nets and debris thrown into the sea can become a deadly trap for marine animals. The responsibility to protect the sea and the life in it rests with all of us. Haifa is a city of the sea, and we are committed to doing everything possible to protect our unique marine environment, so that future generations can also enjoy it. I wish Halil a full recovery and hope to see him return to the sea soon, healthy and free."
