Sea Turtle Rescued Near Frederiksted Pier After Spearfishing Injury

A green sea turtle found near the Frederiksted Pier in St. Croix with a fishing spear lodged through its neck was rescued and released on August 4, thanks to a coordinated effort by the Sea Turtle Assistance and Rescue (STAR) team and local partners. According to a releaser from STAR, the rescue began when divers contacted STAR’s sea turtle stranding hotline, sending photos of the injured turtle. Responders quickly located and secured the animal, carefully removing the spear. On-site treatment addressed the wound, which showed no signs of permanent damage. After ensuring the turtle was no longer bleeding and had resumed normal behavior, the team returned it to the water. Green sea turtles are listed as Threatened under federal law, facing both human and natural pressures. In the U.S. Virgin Islands, they share nesting grounds with hawksbills and leatherbacks, coming ashore between June and November, while foraging year-round on coastal seagrass beds. So far in 2025, five sea turtle ...