Rescuers Save Giant Sea Turtle Caught in Trap Off Martha's Vineyard

A giant sea turtle badly tangled up in a lobster trap was cut free by rescuers off the coast of Martha’s Vineyard Friday.

The Coast Guard said it received a call at about 6 a.m. about the leatherback turtle, which was caught up near Nomans Land Island. Rescuers pulled up in a boat before 9 a.m. and cut the turtle free.

This is video of the rescue:

The rescue team was comprised of the Coast Guard and a member of the Center for Coastal Studies.

“We pulled up alongside the turtle and could see the rope around one flipper and his head,” said Coast Guard officer Gaines Huneycutt in a statement. “(The veterinarian) cut it free, and we watched it swim away.”

Earlier this summer, the coastal center saved a humpback whale and a minke whale tangled in fishing gear off Cape Cod. During the humpback whale rescue, a great white shark actually attacked the whale before the whale was able to escape.

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• Humpback Whale Freed from Fishing Gear As Great White Shark Circles Off Cape Cod
• Rescuers Save Whale Badly Entangled in Fishing Gear Off Martha’s Vineyard

Boaters are urged to report whale or other sea life entanglements to the Marine Animal Entanglement Response hotline (1-800-900-3622) or US Coast Guard.

The coastal center said it has has freed more than 200 whales and other marine animals from entanglements. It said because of the endangered status of many of these creatures—especially the right whale—freeing just one can have a “profound” effect on the entire population.