NOAA TECHNICAL MEMORANDUM NMFS-SEFSC-524 

CAREFUL RELEASE PROTOCOLS FOR SEA TURTLE 

RELEASE WITH MINIMAL INJURY 

Sheryan Epperly 

Lesley Stokes 

Shawn Dick

June 2004 

U.S. Department of Commerce 

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 

NOAA Fisheries 

Southeast Fisheries Science Center 

75 Virginia Beach Drive 

Miami, Florida 33149 

NOAA TECHNICAL MEMORANDUM NMFS-SEFSC-524 

CAREFUL RELEASE PROTOCOLS FOR SEA TURTLE RELEASE 

WITH MINIMAL INJURY 

Sheryan Epperly 

Lesley Stokes 

Shawn Dick 

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE 

Donald L. Evans, Secretary 

NATIONAL OCEANIC AND ATMOSPHERIC ADMINISTRATION 

Conrad C. Lautenbacher, Jr. 

Undersecretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere 

NATIONAL MARINE FISHERIES SERVICE 

William T. Hogarth, Assistant Administrator for Fisheries 

June 2004 

Unpublished reports are used for documentation and timely communication of 

preliminary results, interim reports, or special-purpose information, and have not 

received complete formal review, editorial control, or detailed editing.
 ii 

NOTICE 

The NOAA Fisheries (NMFS) does not approve, recommend or endorse any 

proprietary product or material mentioned in this publication. No reference shall 

be made to NOAA Fisheries, or to this publication furnished by NOAA Fisheries, in 

any advertising or sales promotion which would indicate or imply that NOAA 

Fisheries approves, recommends or endorses any proprietary product or material 

herein or which has as its purpose any intent to cause or indirectly cause the 

advertised product to be used or purchased because of NOAA Fisheries publication. 

This report should be cited as follows: 

Epperly, S., L. Stokes, and S. Dick. 2004. Careful release protocols for sea turtle release 

with minimal injury. NOAA Technical Memorandum NMFS-SEFSC-524, 42 pp. 

This report has an internal document no. PRD-03/04-01 

Copies of this report can be obtained from: 

 

Maria Bello, Librarian or National Technical Information Center 

Southeast Fisheries Science Center Southeast Fisheries Science Center 

NOAA Fisheries 5825 Port Royal Road 

75 Virginia Beach Drive Springfield, VA 22161 

Miami, FL 33149 (703) 605-6000, (800) 553-6847 

(305) 361-4229 

 

 or 

Director, Protected Resources and Biodiversity Division 

Southeast Fisheries Science Center 

NOAA Fisheries 

75 Virginia Beach Drive 

Miami, FL 33149 

 or 

http:www.sefsc.noaa.gov/seaturtletechmemos.jsp
 iii 

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS 

The development of these protocols involved a large number of very cooperative people from 

government, industry, and academia. We are especially grateful to observers participating in 

the NED experiments for their feedback: Patrick Bellew, Jeff Bernia, Ryan Brown, Thomas 

Droz, Georg Hinteregger, Jeff Hoffman, Nick Hopkins, Simon Gulak, Daniel Lawson, Juan 

Levesque, Matthew Maiello, Warren Mitchell, Ben Rhame, Patrick Rice, Jimmy Rollo, Lee 

Saxon, Brad Segrest, David Scheuermann, Josh Sheldon, Matthew Tierney, Jeff Trew, C. 

Jain Vaughn, Brian Witt, and C.R. Wurster. Invaluable was the cooperation and assistance 

of the captains, crew, managers, and owners of the vessels participating in the experimental 

fishery for their input and willingness to try the gear removal devices and develop many of 

the procedures outlined in this document: F/V Beth Anne, F/V Bjorn II, F/V Deesie, F/V 

Destiny, F/V Eagle Eye, F/V Eagle Eye II, F/V Eyelander, F/V Karen L, F/V Monica, F/V 

Sea Hawk, F/V Seneca, and the F/V WhiteWater. 

We appreciate also the efforts of many NOAA Fisheries staff: Dennis Lee, Cheryl Brown, 

Lawrence Beerkircher, John Watson, Charles Bergmann, Dominy Hataway, Nick Hopkins, 

Lisa Belskis, Chris Sasso, Ben Higgins, Larisa Avens, and Joanne Braun McNeill. This 

research was carried out [in part] under the auspices of the Cooperative Institute for Marine 

and Atmospheric Studies (CIMAS), a Joint Institute of the University of Miami and the 

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, cooperative agreement #NA17RJ1226, 

and we acknowledge staff Debra Abercrombie and Myrto Argyropoulou; author Lesley 

Stokes also is affiliated with CIMAS. 

Many thanks go to the Blue Water Fishermen’s Association, Fisheries Research Institute, and 

Aquatic Release Conservation. We also would like to thank our academic colleagues for 

their input: Dr. Craig Harms and Dr. Jeanette Wyneken. A couple of the devices were 

conceptualized by members from the industry: the turtle tether by Jay McCormack (F/V 

Destiny), and the large turtle hoist by Jim Budi and Malcolm MacLean. The large turtle hoist 

was designed, in part, and constructed by the following: Blue Water Fishing Tackle Co., Inc., 

D.N. Kelley Shipyard, Diversified Marine LLC, Eagle Eye II Corporation, Polar Packaging, 

Inc., Reidar’s Manufacturing, Inc., F/V Sea Hawk, and Scandia, Inc. This document 

benefited from reviews by a number of people, including Colleen Bass, Nelson Beideman, 

Russell Dunn, Greg Fairclough, and Rick Pearson. 
 iv 
 v 

TABLE OF CONTENTS 

Introduction 

Part 1 Vessel’s Responsibilities Upon Sighting a Sea Turtle 

Part 2 Sea Turtles Not Boated

2.1 Equipment and techniques

2.1.1 Turtle tether 

2.1.2 Equipment to remove monofilament line 

a) Long-handled line clipper/cutter 

b) Monofilament cutters 

2.1.3 Equipment to remove hooks 

a) Long-handled dehooker for internal hooks 

1) ARC Deep-Hooked (pigtail curl) Dehooker 

2) Plate 2.1.3.a.1 “Instructions for the ARC Deep-Hooked 

(pigtail curl) Dehooker” 

b) Long-handled dehooker for external hooks 

1) “J-Style” dehooker 

2) Plate 2.1.3.b.1 “Instructions for the “J-Style” Dehooker” 

2.1.4 Long-handled device to pull an “Inverted V” during disentanglement 

2.1.4.1 “Inverted V-Style” Technique 

2.2 Possible scenarios encountered

2.2.1 When a turtle is entangled but not hooked 

2.2.2 When a turtle is hooked but not entangled 

2.2.3 When a turtle is hooked and entangled 

 
 vi 

Part 3 Sea Turtles Boated 

 

 3.1 Boating the turtle

 3.1.1 Dip net 

 3.1.2 Large turtle hoist 

3.2 Holding the turtle

 3.2.1 Standard automobile tire 

 3.2.2 Comatose turtles 

3.2.3 When to remove hooks 

3.3 Opening the mouth

3.3.1 Loops of rope with protective tubing 

 3.3.2 Large avian oral speculum 

3.3.3 Block of hard wood 

3.3.4 Set of (3) canine mouth gags 

 3.3.5 Set of (2) nylon dog chew bones 

3.3.6 Hank of rope 

3.3.7 Set of (4) PVC splice couplings 

3.4 Equipment to remove hooks

3.4.1 Needle-nose or long-nose pliers 

3.4.2 Bolt cutters 

3.4.3 Short-handled dehooker for internal hooks 

a) 16” Hand Held Bite Block Deep-Hooked Turtle ARC Dehooking 

Device 

1) Plate 3.4.3.a “Instructions for the ARC Dehooker with 

Turtle Bite Block” 
 vii 

3.4.4 Short-handled dehooker for external hooks 

a) Short-handled “J-style” dehooker or “Flipstick” 

b) Scotty’s dehooker 

1) Plate 3.4.4.b “Instructions for the Scotty’s Dehooker” 

3.5 Equipment to cut monofilament line

3.6 Releasing the turtle

Part 4 Flow chart - Sea Turtles Not Boated 

Part 5 Flow chart - Sea Turtles Boated 

 
 viii 
6/22/2004 

Careful Release Protocols for Sea Turtle Release with Minimal Injury 

 Introduction

The following sea turtle handling protocols, prepared by NOAA Fisheries Southeast Fisheries 

Science Center, describe the tools and techniques for removing fishing gear from incidentally 

captured sea turtles and other bycatch species. They should be followed whenever an 

interaction, such as a hooking and/or an entanglement, with a sea turtle occurs. The survival 

benefit of removing gear from animals before release has been clearly demonstrated. The 

required and recommended equipment and techniques described here are intended to reduce sea 

turtle injury and promote post-release survival. A demonstration of the use of these tools and 

techniques can been seen in the video “Removing Fishing Gear from Longline Caught Sea 

Turtles” (Hataway and Epperly 2004). Although these guidelines were written for sea turtle 

release, this equipment should also be used for all bycatch species to reduce mortality. 

 These protocols synthesize the results of scientific research involving sea turtle mitigation 

measures and post-hooking mortality criteria developed for pelagic longline fisheries. In 2001-

2003, experiments were conducted in the Western Atlantic Northeast Distant Waters statistical 

reporting area (NED) to evaluate sea turtle mitigation measures in the pelagic longline fisheries 

(Watson et al. 2004). Interviews with all of the captains and observers were conducted after each 

trip to specifically discuss the efficacy of various tools provided to remove gear from sea turtles. 

Based on the field-testing and user feedback from these experiments, gear removal tools have 

been updated, and equipment design standards, requirements and recommendations have been 

revised accordingly. 

Previously, all U.S. pelagic longline vessels with Federal HMS permits have been required to 

carry onboard dip nets and line clippers meeting NOAA Fisheries’ design standards, and to 

comply with handling and release guidelines for the handling of incidentally-caught sea turtles 

(65 FR 60889, October 13, 2000, and 66 FR 17370, March 30, 2001). The revised gear 

recommended or required in “Requirements and Equipment Needed for the Careful Release of 

Sea Turtles Caught in Hook and Line Fisheries,” (NOAA Fisheries 2004) must now be used in 

accordance with the following protocols to ensure that sea turtles are released with minimal 

injury. As specified in CFR 50 635.21(a)(3) and 50 CFR 635(c)(5)(ii), these protocols are 

required to be inside the wheelhouses of all Atlantic vessels that have pelagic longline gear 

onboard and have been issued, or are required to have, Federal HMS limited access permits. 
6/22/2004 

1 

Part 1 Vessel’s Responsibilities Upon Sighting a Sea Turtle

Captains and crews are required to scan the main line as far ahead as possible during gear 

retrieval to sight turtles in advance and to avoid getting ahead of the main line while retrieving 

gear. Upon sighting a turtle, the vessel and main line reel speed will be slowed and the vessel 

direction will be adjusted to move toward the turtle, minimizing tension on the main line and the 

branch line with the turtle. When the snap of the branch line is in hand, the vessel will continue 

to move toward the turtle as slowly as possible. If slow speed is not possible, the vessel will stop 

with the engine out of gear, and the turtle will be brought along side the vessel. The branch line 

will be retrieved slowly while a crew member keeps a gentle, consistent tension on the line with 

enough slack to keep the turtle near the vessel and in the water. A laminated instruction card for 

sea turtle handling/release guidelines will be provided to each vessel to be prominently displayed 

in the wheelhouse for instant reference (66 FR 48813, September 24, 2001). 

Once the turtle is brought alongside the vessel, stop and put the vessel in neutral. Do not use 

gaffs or other sharp objects in direct contact with the turtle to retrieve or control it, although a 

gaff may be used to control the line (refer to Section 2.1.4.1). Assess the turtle’s condition and 

size, and determine if it is hooked or entangled and, if hooked, the location of the hook. There 

are 3 possible sea turtle interactions with the fishing gear: 1) Entangled animal but not hooked, 

2) Hooked animal but not entangled, and 3) Hooked and entangled animal. The vessel must be 

stopped in order to respond to these interactions, and a decision must be made whether the turtle 

can be brought onboard safely. 

It is expected that all turtles less than 3 ft in straight carapace length generally can be boated 

safely if sea conditions permit; larger turtles should also be boated when conditions and 

equipment permit. If it is determined that the turtle cannot be brought aboard without causing 

further injury to the turtle, or if conditions are such that the turtle cannot be safely brought 

aboard, then protocols for turtles not boated should be followed (Part 2). Whenever possible, 

turtles should be brought onboard to make gear removal easier and safer, following the handling 

guidelines for turtles boated (Part 3). The vessel must attempt to remove all of the gear, line and 

hooks from the turtle. The vessel is responsible for the turtle’s safety from first sighting until 

release, and all efforts should be made to release the turtle with minimal injury and minimal 

remaining gear. 
6/22/2004 

2.0 – 2.1.1 

Part 2 Sea Turtles Not Boated 

When a turtle is too large to be boated, or if sea conditions prevent the safe boating of turtles, 

vessels must remove the gear while the turtle remains in the water. The turtle should be brought 

as close as possible, but it may need a short time to calm down before being brought fully 

alongside, where gear removal must be conducted as quickly as possible. The first section in this 

chapter details the tools and techniques to be used for gear removal. Next, different possible 

scenarios involving 3 types of potential gear interactions will be described, outlining the 

combination of tools best adapted for each scenario. For a quick reference for the equipment 

used with sea turtles not boated, see the flow chart in Part 4. 

2.1 Equipment and techniques 

2.1.1 Turtle tether 

A “Turtle tether” is used to help control the animal near the side of the boat, minimizing the 

possibility for injury to the crew and the turtle. The tether is used to take pressure off the 

involved branch line and help stabilize the animal. The end of the negatively buoyant tether line 

should be threaded through an eyebolt at the end of the tether, then through two eyebolts farther 

down the pole. A tag line threaded through the end of the tether must be attached to the vessel to 

ensure that the turtle cannot escape with the tether attached. Loop the stiff rope around the front 

flipper up to the shoulder region, tighten and cinch the rope in the cleat. Keep a firm hold of the 

tether pole to keep the animal near the vessel, allowing for dehooking and disentanglement. Use 

dehookers and line cutters as needed, depending on the type of gear interaction, as described in 

Sections 2.2.1 - 2.2.3. 

 
6/22/2004 

2.1.2 

2.1.2 Equipment to cut monofilament line 

a) Long-handled line clipper/cutter 

A line clipper or cutter is designed to cut high-test monofilament line to assist in removing line 

from entangled sea turtles. It may also be used to cut the line as close as possible to the hook, 

minimizing remaining gear when hook removal is not possible. Carefully slide the blunt end of 

the line cutter under the line that you wish to remove and pull the line cutter to capture the line 

within the recessed blade(s) of the device. 

b) Monofilament cutters 

If the turtle is close to the vessel, hand-held monofilament cutters may be used to remove line 

from entangled turtles. Turtles should be released with as little line as possible remaining. 
6/22/2004 

2.1.3 

2.1.3 Equipment to remove hooks 

a) Long-handled dehooker for internal hooks 

1) ARC Pole Model Deep-Hooked Dehooker (Refer to Plate 2.1.3.a.1) 

The ARC Pole Model Deep-Hooked Dehooker is one example of a NOAA Fisheries certified 

piece of equipment. The dehooker is used to remove internal hooks from sea turtles that cannot 

be boated, but it is also effective on external hooks. This device engages and secures the leader, 

allowing the hook to be secured within an offset loop without re-engaging the barb during the 

removal process. 

1) The leader person (person controlling the branch line) must carefully bring the animal 

alongside the vessel, using a tether to help control the turtle if possible. They should stay 

to the left of the dehooking person and maintain a taut leader. 

2) The dehooking person should be to the right of the leader person to capture the leader, 

and no one should get in between the leader and the dehooking device in case the line 

breaks or the hook dislodges. 

3) There is only one correct way to place the pigtail over the branch line. The leader person 

must maintain leader tension. The dehooking person places the dehooker on the leader at 

a 90° angle with the open end of the curl facing them, and the tail end of the curl facing 

up. Pull until the curl of the dehooking device captures the line (like a bow and arrow), 

and rotate the device 1⁄4 turn clockwise. When placed correctly, the leader will be in the 

center of the pigtail curl. 

4) Slide the dehooker down the leader until it engages the shank of the hook and bottoms 

out. Slightly rotate the device back and forth to ensure proper engagement on the hook. 

5) When the hook is engaged, the dehooking device must be brought together with the 

leader, parallel to the line. If the line is not parallel with the dehooking device, the point 

of the hook will have a tendency to turn out and allow for possible re-engagement after 

release. 

6) Working together, the leader person and the dehooking person must communicate and 

keep the line taut until the exact moment that the dehooking person disengages the hook 

with a short, sharp jab downward. The leader person must give a little slack when the 

dehooking person is jabbing downward, so timing and communication are important. 

After the hook is removed, the point of the hook will rotate and stop on the offset bend of 

the dehooker, protecting the point and preventing re-engagement of the hook. 
6/22/2004 
6/22/2004 

Plate 2.1.3.a.1 

Instructions for ARC Deep-hooked (pigtail curl) Dehooker 

This dehooker is designed for removing hooks that are swallowed and are lodged in the mouth, 

throat, or esophagus of fish, sea turtles, marine mammals, and sea birds without touching or 

removing the catch from the water. It also can be used for removing hooks that are embedded in 

the body, flippers, beak, or lip of larger fish, marine mammals, sea turtles, and sea birds. The 

illustrations depict fish, but the technique is the same for other animals. 

 

 

 Step 1 Step 2 Step 3 

 Step 4 Step 5 Step 6 

(1) Grab the leader with your left hand. 

(2) Hold the dehooker in your right hand, making sure the open end of the pigtail is facing 

up. 

(3) Place the rod of the dehooker on the leader perpendicular to the leader as you would a 

bow and arrow. 

(4&5) Draw the dehooker back towards you until you engage the line. 

(6) Turn the dehooker 1/4 turn clockwise. This puts the leader in the center of the curl.
6/22/2004 

Plate 2.1.3.a.1 Continued

 

 Step 7 Step 8 Step 9 

 Step 10 Step 11 Step 12 

(7-9) Keeping your hands apart, follow the leader down until the dehooker bottoms out on the 

hook. 

(10) Bring your hands together making sure the leader is tight and parallel with the dehooking 

device. 

(11&12) Give a slight thrust downward with the dehooking device until the hook disengages, 

then pull out the dehooker with the hook. The point of the hook will be hidden by the 

offset bend (so that the hook does not re-engage). The animal is safely and instantly 

released. 
6/22/2004 

2.1.3 Continued 

b) Long-handled dehooker for external hooks 

1) “J-Style” dehooker (Refer to Plate 2.1.3.b.1) 

This long-handled dehooking device may be used for dehooking in circumstances where the 

animal is hooked externally. Hold the leader in your left hand with tension and hold the “JStyle” dehooker in your right hand. Place the dehooker on the leader and follow the leader down 

until it bottoms out on the shank of hook. With tension on the leader, lower the left hand (the 

hand with the leader) to the 8 o’clock position and the right hand with the dehooker to the 2 

o’clock position; twist the dehooker slightly and pull until the hook is dislodged. Be cautious not 

to allow the hook to re-engage once removed. 
6/22/2004 
6/22/2004 

Plate 2.1.3.b.1 

Instructions for the “J-Style” Dehooker

 This dehooker is designed for removing smaller hooks, jigs, and lures that are embedded in the 

lip, body, flippers, and beak of fish, marine mammals, sea turtles, and sea birds. 

 Step 1 Step 2 

 

 

 Step 3 Step 4 

 

 

(1) Grab the leader with your left hand and hold the dehooking device with your right hand 

(with the J bend facing toward you). 

(2) Place the dehooking device on the leader. 

(3) Follow the leader down until you engage the hook. 

(4) Pull the dehooking device and leader apart with constant pressure until your right hand 

(dehooking device) is at the two o'clock position and your left hand (leader) is at the eight 

o'clock position. With a slight twist and shake the hook will be disengaged. 
6/22/2004 
6/22/2004 

2.1.4 – 2.1.4.1 

2.1.4 Long-handled device to pull an “Inverted V” during disentanglement 

A standard boat hook, long-handled “J-Style” dehooker, or standard fishing gaff may be used to 

assist in disentanglements and to pull a “V” for dehooking entangled sea turtles, as described in 

the “Inverted V” dehooking technique below. 

2.1.4.1 “Inverted V-Style” technique 

1) Once at the surface, the animal may have a tendency to entangle itself more. After the 

first inspection, let the turtle calm down for a short period of time (in some cases up to 10 

minutes) then gently draw it to the boat, using the tether when practical to control the 

animal. 

2) An additional crew member should carefully engage the monofilament leader closest to 

the embedded hook with a gaff, boat hook or long-handled “J-Style” dehooker, 

depending on the distance to the hook. If using a gaff, care should be taken to ensure that 

the point of the gaff does not ever contact the turtle. The gaff person should pull the line 

upward into an “Inverted V” to enable engagement of the dehooking device on the line 

closest to the hook. 

3) Follow the instructions in Section 2.1.3 to remove the hook from the turtle using a longhandled dehooking device. The gaff person would serve the same function as the leader 

person. 

4) After the hook is removed and secured by the dehooker, carefully remove all line with the 

line cutter to disentangle the animal (Section 2.1.2). 
6/22/2004 

2.2 – 2.2.1 

2.2 Possible Scenarios Encountered

2.2.1 When a turtle is entangled but not hooked (2 crew / dehooker/ line cutter/gaff, boat 

hook, or long-handled “J-Style” dehooker)

Control the turtle at the side of the boat using the branch line, or preferably with a turtle tether 

(Section 2.1.1). Secure the loose hook with the long-handled dehooker for internal hooks and 

carefully slide the blunt end of the line cutter under the line that you wish to remove. Pull the 

line cutter and the line will be captured within the recessed blade(s) of the device. The longhandled “J-Style” dehooker, boat hook, or gaff may be carefully used to manage the line while 

cutting with the line cutters. Monofilament cutters may also be useful if the turtle is close to the 

side of the vessel. 

 
6/22/2004 

2.2.2 

2.2.2 When a turtle is hooked but not entangled (at least 2 crew, turtle tether and longhandled dehooker or “J-Style” dehooker). 

Control the turtle at the side of the boat using the branch line, or preferably with a turtle tether 

(Section 2.1.1). The choice of dehooker will depend on the location and depth of the hook. Do 

not ever attempt to remove hooks that have been swallowed beyond where the insertion point of 

the barb is visible, or when it appears that hook removal will cause further serious injury to the 

turtle. If the hook cannot be removed, ensure that as much line as possible is removed and, if 

possible, remove some of the hook with bolt cutters. The long-handled dehooker for internal 

hooks may be used when the hook is more deeply embedded; the long-handled dehooker for 

external hooks may be used when the turtle is lightly hooked, and hooks are easily removed 

using a simple pushing or pulling motion. 
6/22/2004 

2.2.3 

2.2.3 When a turtle is hooked and entangled (multiple crew /turtle tether/ dehooker/ line 

cutter /gaff or long-handled “J-Style” dehooker) 

Control the turtle at the side of the boat using the branch line, or preferably with a turtle tether 

(Section 2.1.1). For turtles wrapped in line or hooked in the armpit or shoulder with the line 

running under, not over the turtle, the “Inverted V-Style” technique is necessary for release (See 

Section 2.1.4.1). Follow the instructions in Sections 2.2.1 and 2.2.2 for removing hooks and line. 
6/22/2004 

3.1 

Part 3 Sea Turtles Boated 

3.1 Boating the turtle

It is very important that the turtle is never pulled out the water, even partially or for a short 

distance, using the branch line. This could cause serious injury to the turtle, especially when the 

turtle has swallowed the hook. Once boated, the turtle will be handled according to the 

procedures for boated turtles (Section 3.2 – 3.6). For a quick reference for the equipment used 

with sea turtles boated, see the flow chart in Part 5.

 
6/22/2004 

3.1.1 

3.1.1 Dip net 

If the turtle is small enough, and if conditions are such that it can be brought aboard the vessel 

safely, a crew member will use a dip net (meeting standards specified in NMFS regulations) to 

carefully bring the turtle aboard. The net will be placed under the turtle, and it will be safely 

lifted out of the water and onto the deck. If the vessel is equipped with “cut out doors,” use this 

door to minimize the distance from the water for the turtle to be retrieved. 

 
6/22/2004 

3.1.2 

3.1.2 Large turtle hoist 

A hoist is recommended to bring turtles onboard that cannot be boated using a smaller dip net. 

This is particularly useful when removing gear from leatherback sea turtles. The hoist is lowered 

into the water using a hydraulic lift and brought near the turtle. Once the lift is in the water, the 

turtle can be guided into the device using the branch line and/or turtle tether. Once the turtle is 

positioned within the hoist, release tension on the line, and the turtle will descend deeper into the 

lift. The hoist and turtle are then raised slowly back onto the deck. The device is designed so 

that when onboard, the turtle is suspended above the deck on a platform of mesh netting 

supported by a rigid ring and contained within a webbing fence. The turtle is immobilized in this 

lift, facilitating safe and rapid gear removal. Once all gear has been removed, the hoist and turtle 

are lowered back into the water deep enough for the turtle to swim out of the frame. Orient the 

hoist so that the turtle is facing away from the boat upon release. The use of this device is 

demonstrated in the video “Leatherbacks Aboard” (Epperly and Hataway 2004). 
6/22/2004 

3.2 – 3.2.1

3.2 Holding the turtle

While onboard, the turtle must be kept moist and in the shade, maintaining its body temperature 

above 60° F, similar to water temperatures at capture. It must be safely isolated and immobilized 

on a cushioned surface. The large turtle hoist serves this purpose; smaller turtles will need to be 

placed on an automobile tire. If you encounter a turtle with a tag, note the tag number and 

species and report the find to the address on the tag. All gear should be removed immediately. 

If possible, and especially if the turtle appears lethargic, leave the turtle on deck from some time 

(up to 24 hours) and monitor its condition, allowing stress toxins to dissipate. 

3.2.1 Standard automobile tire 

The vessel is responsible for providing a standard automobile tire to safely isolate and 

immobilize the animal once it is onboard. It is important to place the turtle in its normal 

orientation whenever possible while immobilized on the tire, unless there is a specific reason to 

have it temporarily resting on its back. 
6/22/2004 

3.2.2 

3.2.2 Comatose turtles 

If a turtle appears to be comatose (unconscious), you should attempt to revive it before release 

per 66 FR 67495, December 31, 2001. Place the turtle on its plastron (lower shell) and elevate 

the hindquarters several inches to permit the lungs to drain off water. A comatose but live sea 

turtle may, in some cases, exhibit absolutely no movement or signs of life (no muscle reflexes). 

In other cases, an unconscious turtle may show some evidence of eyelid or tail movement when 

touched. Sea turtles may take some time to revive; do not give up too quickly. Regulations 

allow a fisherman to keep a turtle on deck up to 24 hours for resuscitation purposes without a 

permit. Even turtles successfully resuscitated benefit from being held on deck as long as 

possible to allow toxins that built up as a result of stress to dissipate from the body. Keep the 

skin, and especially the eyes, moist while the turtle is on deck by covering the animal’s body 

with a wet towel, periodically spraying it with water, or by applying petroleum jelly to its skin 

and carapace. 

A turtle that has shown no sign of life after 24 hours on deck (held in the shade, kept moist and 

its body temperature maintained above 60° F) may safely be considered dead. If the turtle 

cannot be revived before returning to port, it should be returned to the water, preferably in a nonfishing area. 
6/22/2004 

3.2.3 

3.2.3 When to remove hooks 

The decision whether to remove a hook is very important, and may directly affect the turtle’s 

chances for survival. If you are unsure whether hook removal will cause further serious injury to 

the turtle, do not remove the hook. All externally embedded hooks should be removed. Hooks 

in the mouth should be removed when they are visible in part or whole, but judgment should be 

used in each case. If the hook is in the braincase, glottis, or otherwise deeply embedded, and 

where you believe removal will cause more damage, do not remove the hook. The glottis is 

located in the middle of the tongue (large muscular organ fixed to the floor of the mouth), and 

consists of the opening to the trachea and the valve to open and close the airway. 

 

The esophagus begins at the back of the mouth and is lined with papillae. Only remove hooks 

from the esophagus when the insertion point of the barb is clearly visible, and exercise extreme 

caution during hook removal. Never attempt to remove a hook that has been swallowed when 

the insertion point is not visible, as removal may cause more damage to the turtle than leaving 

the hook in place. When a hook cannot safely be removed, monofilament cutters should be used 

to cut the line as close as possible to the eye of the hook. If part of the hook is visible and 

accessible, but cannot be removed (e.g., hook in glottis), bolt cutters should be used to cut off 

and remove the visible part of the hook. 
6/22/2004 

3.3 

3.3 Opening the mouth 

When a turtle with an internal hook injury is brought on board, it will more than likely have its 

mouth open. If the animal is not voluntarily opening its mouth, there are a few mouth-opening 

techniques you can apply: 

1) Block the turtle’s nostrils to make the turtle breath through its mouth. 

2) Tickle the throat or pull outward on the throat skin. 

3) Cover the nostrils and carefully apply light pressure to the anterior corner of the eye 

socket (not the eye itself) with one hand and apply firm pressure in the throat area with 

your other hand. 
6/22/2004 

3.3 Continued 

If you still cannot open the mouth, use the rope loops covered with protective tubing or the avian 

speculum as mouth openers. The mouth openers will enable you to open the turtle’s mouth, and 

the mouth gags will maintain your access inside a turtle’s mouth so you can remove any hooks 

and/or line. Keep in mind that different mouth gags will block your view inside the mouth in 

various ways. Therefore, select which mouth gag will best suit the dehooking or 

disentanglement procedure that you need to perform. You can improve your visibility at the 

back of the turtle’s mouth and upper esophagus by using the needlenose pliers. After securing 

the mouth open, gently slide the pliers in the closed position forward into the upper esophagus 

and separate the pliers’ jaws to open the “throat.” 
6/22/2004 

3.3.1 – 3.3.2 

The following devices can be used to open the mouth and/or maintain the mouth in an open 

position: 

3.3.1 Loops of rope with protective tubing (both a mouth opener and mouth gag) 

Slide the ropes with the protected tubing in between the jaws and move them away from the 

front of the mouth to gain the greatest leverage. Care should be taken to avoid contact with the 

eyes. With the free ends of the rope knotted together to form a loop, you can hold the lower rope 

loop with your foot and the other with one hand, leaving one free hand. 

3.3.2 Large avian oral speculum (both a mouth opener and mouth gag) 

Slide the avian speculum flat inside the turtle’s mouth and rotate it. Notice that the speculum is 

stepped and can be used for different sized turtles by selecting for its different widths. This 

mouth opener can be used only on the smallest of the animals. 
6/22/2004 

3.3.3 – 3.3.4 

3.3.3 Block of hard wood (mouth gag) 

Soak the wood block/handle first to soften it and decrease damage to the beak. Position it in the 

posterior corner of the jaw to keep the mouth open. 

 

3.3.4 Set of (3) canine mouth gags (mouth gag) 

This type of gag locks into the open position and allows for hands free operation once it is in 

place. The canine mouth gag’s arms are compressible when they are perpendicular to the main 

axis. The rubber feet on the gag lock nicely into the groove on the upper and lower beak. When 

the turtle bites down on the extremity of the arms, they will shift from being perpendicular and 

therefore will lock. Use the smallest one possible that will not crush. Compress the gag and 

insert it in the turtle’s mouth. As the turtle opens its mouth, the gag will expand. Maintain your 

hold on the gag until it has locked in place. Do not force the turtle’s mouth open all the way; let 

the spring tension on the gag and turtle’s own mouth movement set the maximum open position. 

Position the mouth gag at the front center of the jaw with the axis off to one side to provide the 

maximum open working area in the mouth and the surest footing for the gag. 
6/22/2004 

3.3.5 – 3.3.6 

3.3.5 Set of (2) nylon dog chew bones (mouth gag) 

Position the proper size dog bone in the posterior corner of the jaw to keep the mouth open. The 

larger bones are easy to hold, but block access to much of the mouth. Smaller bones do not 

reduce your view inside the turtle’s mouth and work equally well. 

3.3.6 Hank of rope (mouth gag) 

Position the lanyard in the posterior corner of the jaw to keep the mouth open. Alternatively, 

you can place the rope across the entire width of the mouth and block both sides of the jaw, but 

this blocks your view of the back of the mouth. 
6/22/2004 

3.3.7 

3.3.7 Set of (4) PVC splice couplings (mouth gag) 

Insert the appropriate size PVC splice coupling (chosen by considering both the size of the 

turtle and the tools to be used) inside the turtle’s mouth. Hold it steady with a pair of pliers 

to stabilize it inside the mouth. In order to prevent the coupling from interfering with the 

dehooking devices, thread the line through the coupling before inserting it. 
6/22/2004 

3.4 – 3.4.2 

3.4 Equipment to remove hooks

When dehooking is possible, several devices may be used to remove hooks, depending on the 

depth and location. Some hooks that are lightly hooked externally may be easily removed using 

your hand. The following hand-held devices may also be used. 

 

3.4.1 Needle-nose or long-nose pliers 

The needle-nose pliers can be used to remove hooks that are deep in the animal’s flesh and must 

be twisted during removal. They are also useful in holding PVC splice couplings in place when 

used as mouth openers, and can be used to remove hooks in the mouth in some situations. 

3.4.2 Bolt cutters 

Bolt cutters are essential for removing hooks, as the easiest way to remove a hook may be to cut 

off the eye or barb so that the hook can be pushed through or backed out without causing further 

injury to the sea turtle. If the hook cannot be removed, bolt cutters should be used to cut off as 

much of the hook as possible. 
6/22/2004 

3.4.3 

3.4.3 Short-handled dehooker for internal hooks 

a) 16” Hand Held Bite Block Deep-Hooked Turtle ARC Dehooking Device (Refer to 

Plate 3.4.3.a)

This device has been designed to prevent sea turtles from biting down on the dehooking device 

during internal hook removal. The PVC bite block also reduces the damage on the sea turtle’s 

beak if the turtle bites down. 

a) To correctly use this dehooking device, you must keep the PVC bite block pulled up 

along the handle when engaging the leader to allow for proper leader and hook 

engagement. 

b) Maintain leader tension and place the dehooker on the leader at a 90°

 angle with the open 

end of the curl up. 

c) Pull the dehooker towards you (like a bow and arrow) until the open end of the curl 

engages (captures) the leader. 

d) Turn the dehooker 1⁄4 turn clockwise. The leader is now in the center of the pigtail. 

e) Release the bite block, allowing it to fall to the bottom of the dehooker. Following the 

leader, insert the curl and PVC end into the mouth as far as the animal will allow before it 

bites down. 

f) Once the sea turtle bites down, the dehooker will still slide up to 5” in and out. 

g) With the sliding motion allowed by the bite block, continue to follow the leader down to 

the shank of the hook. 

h) After the dehooker is seated on the shank of the hook, (leader tight) give a sharp jab 

downward with the dehooker. The hook is removed, and the point of the hook will rotate 

and stop on the offset bend of the dehooker, protecting the point and preventing reengagement of the hook. 

i) After hook is dislodged, keep the leader tight and pull the dehooker out until it stops at 

the PVC bite block. 

j) The bite block will cover the hook and further prevent re-engagement. 

Wait for the turtle to open its mouth and remove the entire dehooking device and hook. 
6/22/2004 

Plate 3.4.3.a

Instructions for the ARC Dehooker with Turtle Bite Block

 Step 1 Step 2 

 

(1) To correctly use this dehooking device, you must keep the PVC bite block pulled 

up along the handle when engaging the leader to allow for proper leader and hook engagement. 

(2) Maintain leader tension and place the dehooker on the leader at a 90 degree 

angle with the open end of the curl up. 

Step 3 Step 4

 

(3) Pull the dehooker towards you (like a bow & arrow) until the open end of the 

curl engages/captures the leader.

(4) Turn the dehooker 1⁄4 turn clockwise. The leader is now in the center of the pigtail.
6/22/2004 

 Plate 3.4.3.a Continued

Step 5 Step 6

 

(5) Release the bite block, allowing it to slide to the bottom of the dehooker. Following the leader, 

insert the curl and PVC end into the mouth as far as the animal will allow. 

(6) Should the sea turtle bite down, the dehooker will slide up to 5” in and out.

Step 7 Step 8 

 

(7) With the sliding motion allowed by the bite block, continue to follow the leader down the shank of 

the hook.

(8) After the dehooker is seated on the shank of the hook, (leader tight) give a sharp, short jab 

downward with the dehooker. As the hook is removed, the point of the hook will rotate and stop on 

the offset angle of the dehooker, protecting the point and preventing re-engagement of the hook
6/22/2004 

 Plate 3.4.3.a Continued

 Step 9 Step 10

 

(9) After the hook is dislodged, keep the leader tight and pull the dehooker out until 

it stops at the PVC bite block. 

(10) The bite block will cover the hook and further prevent re-engagement.

 Step 11 

 

(11) Wait for the turtle to open its mouth and remove the entire dehooking device 

and hook.
6/22/2004 
6/22/2004 

3.4.4 

3.4.4 Short-handled dehooker for external hooks

a) Short-handled “J-Style” dehooker or “Flipstick” (refer to Plate 2.1.3.b.1) 

This dehooker is designed for use only when the hook is visible in the front of the mouth or beak 

(and the barb is not visible), or is external. Use of the “J-Style” dehooker requires a pulling 

motion to be employed; consider hook location and placement prior to use. Hold the leader in 

your left hand with tension and hold the “J-Style” dehooker in your right hand. Place the 

dehooker on the leader and follow the leader down until it bottoms out on the shank of hook. 

With tension on the leader, lower the left hand (the hand with the leader) to the 8 o’clock 

position, and lower the right hand with the dehooker to the 2 o’clock position. Twist the 

dehooker slightly and pull until the hook is dislodged, and be cautious not to allow the hook to 

re-engage once removed. 
6/22/2004 

3.4.4 Continued

b) Scotty’s dehooker (Refer to Plate 3.4.4.b) 

This dehooker is designed for use only when the hook is visible in the front of the mouth or beak 

(and the barb is not visible), or is external. Use of the Scotty’s dehooker requires a pushing 

motion to be employed; consider hook location and placement prior to use. Hold the leader in 

your left hand with tension and hold the Scotty’s dehooker in your right hand. Position the 

dehooker so that it is firmly seated against the shank of the hook. Bring both hands together 

(leader and dehooker parallel with each other) while maintaining tension on the leader. With the 

leader and dehooker together, give a short, sharp jab to dislodge the hook and remove it from the 

animal. Be cautious not to allow the hook to re-engage once removed. 

 
6/22/2004 

Plate 3.4.4.b 

Instructions for Scotty’s Dehooker 

This dehooker is designed for removing hooks visible in the front of the mouth or beak, or 

external hooks. Use of Scotty’s dehooker requires a pushing motion, and hook location should 

be considered when choosing this tool. 

 Step 1 Step 2

 Step 3 Step 4

 Step 5 

(1) Hold leader in left hand with tension and hold Scotty’s dehooker in right hand. 

(2) Position the dehooker so that it is firmly seated against the shank of the hook. 

(3) Bring both hands together (leader and dehooker parallel with each other) while maintaining 

tension on the leader. With the leader and dehooker together, give a short, sharp jab to dislodge 

the hook and remove it from the animal. 

(4) Rotate or twist slightly if necessary to remove the hook. 

(5) Be careful not to allow the hook to re-engage once removed. 
6/22/2004 
6/22/2004 

3.5 – 3.6 

3.5 Equipment to cut monofilament line

See Section 2.1.2.b. 

3.6 Releasing the turtle

Once gear is removed and the turtle recovered, boated turtles should be released in waters of 

similar temperature as at capture, preferably in a non-fishing area. Release the turtle by lowering 

it over the aft portion of the vessel, close to the water’s surface, when gear is not in use and the 

engines are in neutral. The turtle’s behavior and swimming and diving abilities should be 

monitored after release and recorded in the daily logbook. 
6/22/2004 

References 

Epperly, S. and D. Hataway. 2004. Leatherbacks Aboard. Video. 

http://www.sefsc.noaa.gov/seaturtlefisheriesobservers.jsp. National Marine Fisheries 

Service, Southeast Fisheries Science Center, Miami, FL. 

Hataway, D. and S. Epperly. 2004. Removing Fishing Gear from Longline Caught Sea Turtles. 

Video. http://www.sefsc.noaa.gov/seaturtlefisheriesobservers.jsp. National Marine 

Fisheries Service, Southeast Fisheries Science Center, Miami, FL. 

NOAA Fisheries. 2004. Final Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement for the Reduction 

of Sea Turtle Bycatch and Bycatch Mortality in the Atlantic Pelagic Longline Fishery. 

U.S. Department of Commerce, National Marine Fisheries Service, Office of Sustainable 

Fisheries, Highly Migratory Species Management Division, Silver Spring, MD. Public 

Document. 

Watson, J.W., D.G. Foster, S. Epperly, and A. Shah. 2004. Experiments in the Western Atlantic 

Northeast Distant Waters to Evaluate Sea Turtle Mitigation Measures in the Pelagic 

Longline Fishery. Report on Experiments Conducted in 2001-2003. 

http://www.mslabs.noaa.gov/mslabs/docs/pubs.html. National Marine Fisheries Service, 

Southeast Fisheries Science Center, Mississippi Laboratory.

 
Entangled and/or Hooked 

Entangled Hooked

Long-handled line cutter (2.1.2.a) 

External 

L

i

Long-handled dehooker 

for internal hooks 

(2.1.3.a) 

or 

Long-handled dehooker 

for external hooks 

(2.1.3.b)

Long-handled device to pull “Inverted V”

 To control turtle at side o

Turtle tether (2.1.1) 

 Gaff (2.1.4)  or  Boat hook (2.1.4)  or

Long-handled “J” Style 

dehooker (2.1.3.b.1)

AND 

Long-handled dehooker 

AND 

Long-handled dehooker 

(to secure loose hook)

Long-handled dehooker for internal 

hooks (2.1.3.a) 

Part 4 Sea Turtles Not Boated
Large turtle 

hoist 

(3.1.2)

Dip net 

(3.1.1) 

Standard 

automobile 

tire (3.2.1) 

Monofilament cutters (2.1.2.b) and long-

(3.4.1) and bolt cutters (3.4.2) 

 (2 sets required to be aboard): 

2 rope loops w/ hose (3.3.1) 

 or Large avian oral speculum (3.3.2) 

or Block of hard wood (3.3.3) 

or Set of 3 canine mouth gags (3.3.4) 

or Set of 2 dog chew bones (3.3.5) 

or Hank of rope (3.3.6) 

or Set of 4 PVC splice couplings (3.3.7)

Mouth opener/gag 

Short-handled 

dehooker for internal 

hooks (3.4.3) 

SS

For Boating For Gear Removal

OR 

Short-handled dehooker

Back of Mouth or

Esophagus 

Beak or Front 

of Mouth 

Short-handled dehooker for 

external hooks (3.4.4) 

or 

Short-handled dehooker for 

internal hooks (3.4.3) 

Internal AND 

Part 5 Sea Turtles Boated 

For Holding 

Large turtle 

hoist 

(3.1.2)

S

AND

AND 

AND

OR