The Bermuda Zoological Society has urged fishermen to be more responsible after a sea turtle died when it became trapped in a fishing line.

“Take the time to mind your line!” the BZS said after the death of the green sea turtle last month. The dead reptile was discovered on or about February 14 in the waters of the Great Sound.

The BZS said the turtle died after it became entangled in a mass of fishing line.

“As a result, the turtle was tethered underwater and could not reach the surface to breathe,” the society said.

A BZS official said it is likely that the turtle was “swimming around in circles” as it became entangled in the line.“

“After that, it could not breathe,” he said. “It is one of those terrible turtle stories.”

Asked about the frequency of such incidents, the official noted that the BZS records several each year. As such, he said, “responsible fishing is important”.

He said the turtle was found in a monofilament fishing line left behind by fishermen. It was noted that standard monofilament fishing lines are not biodegradable.

Monofilament fishing lines are made mostly of nylon. The single-strand lines are favoured by fishermen as they are easy to handle. They also stretch when under pressure.

For years, they have posed a threat to the environment, especially if they are not discarded properly.

“Not only does monofilament fishing line stay in the environment for hundreds of years, but it poses a threat to many species of marine life,” the society said.

“It only takes a few extra minutes to make sure all the line you spool out gets reeled back in,” it added. “And when disposing of it, please make sure it lands in a rubbish bin and not on the beach, shore or back in the water!”

Deemed an endangered species, the green turtle is the most common sea turtle found in Bermuda’s waters.

According to research done through the Bermuda Turtle Project, in 2015 a green sea turtle nest was observed in the island’s waters for the first time, after almost 100 years.

Green sea turtles in Bermuda’s waters range in size 25 to 75 centimetres in shell length.Tags on the species indicate that they often travel south to feeding grounds in the Caribbean Sea.