The fisheries department has praised a professional fisherman whose quick reflexes helped rescue an endangered turtle caught in his nets.

In a post on Facebook, the fisheries department said the female loggerhead turtle (Caretta caretta), was caught in the fisherman’s nets off the Vasiliko area. He immediately contacted the fisheries department who sent a boat to the area and with the help of the fisherman were able to free the turtle.

“The turtle’s adventure had a happy ending since it managed thanks to the immediate response of the sensitized professional fisherman and fisheries department personnel, it returned to the sea,” it added.

It noted that the loggerhead is one of two types of sea turtles that can be found in the sea off Cyprus and which nest on the island’s beaches in the summer. One of the dangers that often lead to their death is their accidental capture in fishing nets.

The fisheries department thanked the fisherman for acting quickly, as the turtle would not have otherwise survived.