Between killing off species and plastic pollution, fishing has caused irreversible damage to our oceans and marine life. Far too often, endangered species end up victims of the fishing industry through bycatch or Pollution.

Despite the many protections in place for endangered species, fishermen often go unpunished for injuring or killing them (intentionally or accidentally). A recent example of this is a 50-year-old female green turtle that was found with a spear gun in her neck.

No one is sure who shot the endangered turtle, but she’s in critical condition because of it. According to ABC News, the animal was rescued by Turtles in Trouble volunteers when they spotted her stranded during low tide.

The volunteers contacted the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service and had the turtle transported to the Australia Zoo’s Wildlife Hospital for emergency surgery.

According to ABC News, a senior ranger at Great Sandy Marine Park, Dan Clifton, said that the wound appears to be older since the exposed part of the spear gun had barnacles growing on it. It’s unclear how long the poor turtle was suffering from the injury, but wildlife veterinarians are working to give her the best fighting chance possible.

The zoo’s hospital shared on Facebook that they believe the speargun head is lodged in the turtle’s spine. They’re currently working on establishing a treatment plan that will give her the greatest chance of survival possible.

You can do your part to protect endangered marine species by refusing to eat fish or Support that industry. One of the most important things you can do to help is to switch to a plant-based diet and say no to animal agriculture. 

Sign this petition to demand an end to fishing.

Related Content:

• 6 Ways You Can Help Save Our Oceans
• Baby Sea Turtle Found Dead After Eating 104 Pieces of Plastic
• Why Eating Fish is Ecologically Irresponsible
• Sea Turtles are Eating Plastic Because it Smells Like Food
• These Fishermen are Now Protecting the World’s Most Endangered Sea Turtles Instead of Selling Them!
• Hawaii Becomes First State to Ban Shark Fishing
• 5 Reasons Sport Fishing is Cruel and Unnecessary

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