Plea to fishermen

The Wildlife Information and Rescue Service (Wires) is asking local fishermen to dispose of fishhooks and fishing line properly after a distressing rescue earlier this month.

A freshwater long-necked tortoise was discovered in a creek in Umina with a fishhook in its mouth.

A Wires rescuer took the tortoise to Point Clare Veterinary Hospital for treatment where an X-ray of the tortoise showed not only the fishhook in the mouth but others in the intestines.

The tortoise died as a result of its injuries.

"Many sea birds and other native marine life come into care with Wires Central Coast as a result of injures caused by fishing line and hooks," said publicity officer Ms Marion Semtner.

"Fish hooks may become caught in the animal's mouth and fishing line may entangle birds' wings or legs preventing their ability to flee predators and find food."

Email, March 17