A small specimen of sea turtle of the protected Caretta caretta species was saved at dawn today by the soldiers of the Reggio Calabria Coast Guard. The operation took place off the coast of Condofuri Marina, in the southern area of the province of Reggio.
The crew of the GC B114 inflatable boat spotted the animal in obvious difficulty, having become entangled in an illegal longline. The military intervened promptly on the spot, freeing the turtle from the hook that was holding it and making it safe.
The rescue of the turtle is part of a broader control activity which has dealt a serious blow to illegal fishing in the area. During the same service, the military identified and removed several other illicit fishing tools from the waters of the province, very similar to the one that had trapped the animal.
The operation also led to the seizure of approximately 150 kilograms of illegally caught fish which was donated to charity.