From Discarded Line to Silver Lining: One Sea Turtle’s Survival Story | Marine Debris Program Blog
Blog Home
From Discarded Line to Silver Lining: One Sea Turtle’s Survival Story
Ana Zangroniz sits on a boat with the green sea turtle, nicknamed “Oscar,” rescued from fishing gear in Biscayne Bay, FWC Marine Turtle Permit MTP-25-024 (Photo Credit: Frank Reyes).
Note:
It is illegal to handle sea turtles without a permit. This rescue was conducted under Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) Marine Turtle Permit MTP-25-024. If you see a sea turtle in distress in Florida waters, please call FWC at 1-888-404-3922.
In summer 2025 in southern Biscayne Bay, efforts to remove lost fishing gear led to an unexpected rescue and a second chance for an endangered green sea turtle.
With support from a 2023 award from the NOAA Marine Debris Program, William and Mary’s Batten School and the Virginia Institute of Marine Science (VIMS)
Nationwide TRAP Program
, in partnership with the University of Florida Institute for Food and Agricultural Services (UF/IFAS) Extension Miami-Dade County Sea Grant Program, led a team to remove abandoned and derelict traps used to catch blue crab, stone crab, and spiny lobster from Biscayne National Park.
Removing Lost Fishing Gear in Shared Habitat
Blue crab
fishing peaks during the summer months in the same nearshore waters where
green sea turtles
feed, increasing the risk of turtle entanglement in traps and lines. Unfortunately, this threat continues beyond the fishing season as
derelict fishing gear
, including lost, abandoned, or discarded traps and lines, poses a significant threat to sea turtles and other marine wildlife once it is no longer under the control of a commercial or recreational fisher. Wildlife can
become entangled
in derelict lines and nets, resulting in injury, infection, impaired mobility, drowning, and starvation. Removing abandoned traps and fishing lines helps safeguard important marine habitat, prevent entanglement, and reduce risks to endangered species including the green sea turtle, a species listed as endangered under the Endangered Species Act.
Representatives from Biscayne National Park, Miami-Dade County Department of Regulatory and Economic Resources, Coastal Cleanup Corporation, Fishing Spots Conservation, and University of Florida teamed up in summer 2025 to remove derelict traps near Black Point in southern Biscayne Bay. During this three-day, multi-agency operation, three crews worked from separate park vessels, visiting sites where traps had been reported. One crew operated in shallow waters of Biscayne Bay and retrieved stone crab and blue crab traps from the surface, while the other crews dove offshore for stone crab and spiny lobster traps. When a trap lacked a buoy, snorkelers attached a line so it could be pulled aboard. The removal took place during the closed season for all three trap fisheries. Under state regulations, any trap left in the water during this period is considered derelict and may be removed by permitted entities.
During the removal work, the shallow water crew encountered a juvenile male green sea turtle struggling in the water. The turtle was entangled in the buoy line of a derelict blue crab trap. Acting swiftly and in accordance with established laws and protocols (FWC Marine Turtle Permit MTP-25-024), Florida Sea Grant’s Ana Zangroniz and partners carefully freed the turtle from the heavy line wrapped around the turtle’s front flipper.
Ana Zangroniz snorkels to assess the sea turtle and bring it to the boat for further inspection, FWC Marine Turtle Permit MTP-25-024 (Photo Credit: Miami-Dade County DERM/John Ricisak).
Upon closer examination, they discovered an additional and more serious concern: braided fishing line had become embedded deep within the same flipper.
“Oscar” the green sea turtle resting after being disentangled from an abandoned crab trap buoy, FWC Marine Turtle Permit MTP-25-024 (Photo Credit: Ana Zangroniz).
From Rescue to Rehabilitation to Release
Following guidance from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, the turtle was transported safely to the Zoo Miami Sea Turtle Hospital for specialized care. Nicknamed “Oscar” after his safe ride back to shore in a large, repurposed trash can, he soon began receiving comprehensive treatment from veterinary staff and animal health specialists.
Veterinarians at Zoo Miami carefully removed the embedded fishing line, treated his wounds, and began monitoring his recovery. During his intake examination, the team also confirmed that Oscar was battling
Fibropapillomatosis
, a disease that causes golf-ball sized tumors to develop on sea turtles’ soft tissues and can make it hard for them to see, swim, and eat.
Over the next seven months, Oscar underwent five delicate surgeries to remove fibropapilloma tumors. Throughout his rehabilitation, he regained strength, swam actively, ate well, and responded positively to treatment. After receiving a clean bill of health from Zoo Miami veterinarians, and with support from wildlife biologists at Biscayne National Park, Oscar was released back into his home waters of Biscayne Bay in February 2026.
A Silver Lining
Oscar’s entanglement in lost fishing gear was the immediate crisis that brought him into human care. There was a silver lining, however: because he was rescued from one life-threatening danger, rescuers found and treated another serious health problem.
The team responsible for removing traps, disentangling Oscar, rehabilitating him, and releasing him back into the wild (Photo Credit: Frank Reyez).
By removing the embedded fishing line and surgically addressing his tumors, the Zoo Miami veterinary team saved him from multiple threats that could have impacted his ability to survive in the wild. It is especially important to address and reduce issues for animals that are already endangered. Healthy green turtles are long-lived reptiles and can survive for 70 years or more in the wild. What began as a response to marine debris, ultimately gave this endangered turtle a renewed chance at living a full life into adulthood.
Back in his home in the shallow waters of Biscayne Bay, Oscar can once again forage among lush seagrass beds. His story is a testament to what coordinated marine debris removal and response partnerships can achieve. Each trap removed represents one less hazard in critical habitat for endangered species. Oscar’s recovery reinforces how proactive efforts can protect wildlife before harm occurs and how rapid response can turn a life-threatening entanglement into a second chance.
Sincere appreciation is extended to the dedicated field teams, veterinarians, wildlife biologists, and partners whose efforts made this successful rescue and release possible.
For more information about the Batten School & VIMS Nationwide TRAP Program and the efforts funded through this partnership, visit
the NOAA Marine Debris Program website
Oscar is released and swims freely in the ocean, video captured by Ana Zangroniz (FWC Marine Turtle Permit MTP-25-024).
Tags
Southeast
derelict fishing gear
For citation purposes, unless otherwise noted, this article was authored by the NOAA Marine Debris Program.
Search Blog
Email List Request
Provide your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.
Subscribe or manage account
Share This Page
Find us on social media
Most Popular Stories
Plastics in the Ocean: How They Get There, Their Impacts, and Our Solutions
Garbage Patches Explained
Now Open: The Annual NOAA Marine Debris Program Art Contest!
Blog Archives
April 2026
April 2026
April 2026
March 2026
March 2026
March 2026
January 2026
January 2026
December 2025
December 2025
September 2025
September 2025
September 2025
July 2025
July 2025
May 2025
May 2025
May 2025
January 2025
January 2025
December 2024
December 2024
December 2024
November 2024
November 2024
October 2024
October 2024
October 2024
October 2024
October 2024
September 2024
September 2024
September 2024
September 2024
August 2024
August 2024
August 2024
August 2024
August 2024
July 2024
July 2024
July 2024
July 2024
June 2024
June 2024
June 2024
May 2024
May 2024
May 2024
May 2024
April 2024
April 2024
April 2024
April 2024
April 2024
April 2024
April 2024
March 2024
March 2024
February 2024
February 2024
February 2024
January 2024
January 2024
December 2023
December 2023
December 2023
November 2023
November 2023
November 2023
October 2023
October 2023
October 2023
October 2023
October 2023
October 2023
August 2023
August 2023
June 2023
June 2023
May 2023
May 2023
May 2023
April 2023
April 2023
March 2023
March 2023
March 2023
February 2023
February 2023
February 2023
February 2023
January 2023
January 2023
January 2023
January 2023
January 2023
December 2022
December 2022
December 2022
December 2022
December 2022
November 2022
November 2022
November 2022
November 2022
November 2022
November 2022
October 2022
October 2022
October 2022
October 2022
October 2022
September 2022
September 2022
September 2022
September 2022
August 2022
August 2022
August 2022
August 2022
August 2022
July 2022
July 2022
June 2022
June 2022
June 2022
May 2022
May 2022
May 2022
May 2022
May 2022
May 2022
April 2022
April 2022
April 2022
April 2022
April 2022
March 2022
March 2022
March 2022
March 2022
February 2022
February 2022
January 2022
January 2022
January 2022
January 2022
December 2021
December 2021
December 2021
December 2021
November 2021
November 2021
October 2021
October 2021
October 2021
October 2021
October 2021
September 2021
September 2021
September 2021
September 2021
September 2021
September 2021
September 2021
August 2021
August 2021
August 2021
August 2021
August 2021
July 2021
July 2021
July 2021
June 2021
June 2021
June 2021
June 2021
June 2021
June 2021
June 2021
June 2021
June 2021
June 2021
May 2021
May 2021
May 2021
May 2021
May 2021
May 2021
May 2021
May 2021
May 2021
May 2021
May 2021
April 2021
April 2021
April 2021
April 2021
April 2021
March 2021
March 2021
March 2021
March 2021
March 2021
March 2021
February 2021
February 2021
February 2021
February 2021
February 2021
February 2021
January 2021
January 2021
January 2021
December 2020
December 2020
November 2020
November 2020
November 2020
November 2020
November 2020
October 2020
October 2020
October 2020
September 2020
September 2020
September 2020
September 2020
September 2020
September 2020
September 2020
August 2020
August 2020
August 2020
August 2020
July 2020
July 2020
July 2020
July 2020
July 2020
July 2020
July 2020
July 2020
June 2020
June 2020
June 2020
June 2020
June 2020
June 2020
June 2020
June 2020
June 2020
May 2020
May 2020
May 2020
May 2020
May 2020
May 2020
May 2020
April 2020
April 2020
April 2020
April 2020
April 2020
April 2020
April 2020
April 2020
April 2020
March 2020
March 2020
March 2020
March 2020
March 2020
February 2020
February 2020
February 2020
February 2020
February 2020
February 2020
January 2020
January 2020
January 2020
January 2020
January 2020
January 2020
January 2020
January 2020
January 2020
January 2020
December 2019
December 2019
December 2019
December 2019
December 2019
December 2019
December 2019
December 2019
December 2019
December 2019
November 2019
November 2019
November 2019
November 2019
November 2019
October 2019
October 2019
October 2019
October 2019
October 2019
October 2019
October 2019
October 2019
October 2019
September 2019
September 2019
September 2019
September 2019
September 2019
September 2019
September 2019
September 2019
August 2019
August 2019
August 2019
August 2019
July 2019
July 2019
July 2019
July 2019
July 2019
July 2019
July 2019
July 2019
June 2019
June 2019
June 2019
June 2019
June 2019
June 2019
June 2019
June 2019
June 2019
June 2019
June 2019
May 2019
May 2019
May 2019
May 2019
May 2019
May 2019
May 2019
May 2019
May 2019
May 2019
May 2019
May 2019
May 2019
May 2019
April 2019
April 2019
April 2019
April 2019
April 2019
April 2019
April 2019
March 2019
March 2019
March 2019
March 2019
March 2019
March 2019
March 2019
February 2019
February 2019
February 2019
February 2019
February 2019
February 2019
January 2019
January 2019
December 2018
December 2018
December 2018
December 2018
December 2018
December 2018
November 2018
November 2018
November 2018
November 2018
November 2018
November 2018
October 2018
October 2018
October 2018
October 2018
October 2018
October 2018
October 2018
October 2018
September 2018
September 2018
September 2018
September 2018
September 2018
September 2018
September 2018
September 2018
August 2018
August 2018
August 2018
August 2018
August 2018
August 2018
August 2018
July 2018
July 2018
July 2018
July 2018
July 2018
July 2018
July 2018
June 2018
June 2018
June 2018
June 2018
June 2018
June 2018
May 2018
May 2018
May 2018
May 2018
May 2018
May 2018
May 2018
April 2018
April 2018
April 2018
April 2018
April 2018
March 2018
March 2018
March 2018
March 2018
March 2018
March 2018
February 2018
February 2018
February 2018
January 2018
January 2018
January 2018
December 2017
December 2017
December 2017
December 2017
November 2017
November 2017
November 2017
November 2017
November 2017
November 2017
November 2017
October 2017
October 2017
October 2017
October 2017
October 2017
October 2017
October 2017
September 2017
September 2017
September 2017
September 2017
September 2017
September 2017
September 2017
September 2017
September 2017
August 2017
August 2017
August 2017
August 2017
August 2017
August 2017
August 2017
August 2017
August 2017
August 2017
August 2017
August 2017
August 2017
July 2017
July 2017
July 2017
July 2017
July 2017
July 2017
June 2017
June 2017
June 2017
June 2017
June 2017
June 2017
June 2017
June 2017
June 2017
June 2017
May 2017
May 2017
May 2017
May 2017
May 2017
May 2017
May 2017
April 2017
April 2017
April 2017
April 2017
April 2017
April 2017
April 2017
April 2017
April 2017
March 2017
March 2017
March 2017
March 2017
March 2017
March 2017
March 2017
March 2017
March 2017
March 2017
March 2017
February 2017
February 2017
February 2017
February 2017
February 2017
February 2017
February 2017
February 2017
January 2017
January 2017
January 2017
January 2017
January 2017
January 2017
January 2017
January 2017
January 2017
January 2017
January 2017
January 2017
January 2017
November 2016
November 2016
November 2016
November 2016
October 2016
October 2016
October 2016
October 2016
October 2016
September 2016
September 2016
September 2016
September 2016
September 2016
September 2016
August 2016
August 2016
August 2016
July 2016
July 2016
June 2016
June 2016
June 2016
June 2016
May 2016
May 2016
May 2016
May 2016
May 2016
May 2016
May 2016
May 2016
April 2016
April 2016
April 2016
April 2016
April 2016
April 2016
April 2016
April 2016
March 2016
March 2016
March 2016
February 2016
February 2016
February 2016
December 2015
December 2015
December 2015
November 2015
November 2015
November 2015
November 2015
October 2015
October 2015
September 2015
September 2015
September 2015
September 2015
September 2015
January 2015
January 2015
July 2012
July 2012
June 2012
June 2012
April 2012
April 2012
Blog Categories
6IMDC
(3)
ADVs
(19)
Alaska
(28)
art
(10)
art contest
(25)
Back to School
(3)
balloons
(6)
Bipartisan Infrastructure Law
(11)
calendar
(6)
California
(29)
Caribbean
(20)
Citizen Science
(4)
cleanups
(23)
consumer debris
(3)
#DebrisFree
(6)
derelict crab pots
(18)
derelict fishing gear
(43)
education
(36)
emergency response
(19)
endangered species
(2)
entanglement
(5)
fireworks
(3)
Fishing for Energy
(15)
Florida
(10)
funding opportunities
(19)
garbage patch
(7)
ghost fishing
(4)
grants
(33)
Great Lakes
(25)
Gulf of America
(22)
habitat
(1)
holiday
(35)
ICC
(7)
impacts
(6)
ingestion
(3)
Internship
(3)
invasive species
(4)
MarineDebris10YR
(6)
Marine Debris Foundation
(2)
MDMAP
(11)
MDP Resources
(2)
microplastics
(23)
Mid-Atlantic
(26)
monitoring
(15)
National Marine Sanctuary
(2)
Northeast
(15)
NWHI
(12)
outreach
(15)
Pacific Islands
(40)
Pacific Northwest
(26)
plastics
(8)
prevention
(106)
recycling
(3)
removal
(137)
report
(24)
research
(40)
response
(8)
shoreline monitoring
(7)
Southeast
(44)
STEM
(1)
Strategic Plan
(1)
watersheds
(2)
World Water Day
(1)
zero waste
(7)