Despite their efforts, the fish died. All diver interventions have failed to date.
Coelacanths have a delicate metabolism.
Pulled to the surface by hook and line, they are exhausted, oxygen depleted, have built up muscle toxins, are overheated in the warmer water, and in a state of slow asphyxiation. The Coelacanth Rescue Mission believes that rapid deep release offers some possibility of recovery.