# Leatherback sea turtle entanglement incidents

> Developing situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/leatherback-sea-turtle-entanglement-incidents
> Updated: 2026-10-28T09:33:08.000Z. Sources: 5. Developments: 2.

Recent reports highlight the impact of fishing gear on leatherback sea turtles in the Mediterranean region. 

On October 9, 2026, a female leatherback turtle, estimated to be 20 to 30 years old, was found dead on Feniglia beach in Orbetello, Tuscany. The cause of death was determined to be entanglement in abandoned fishing nets, or “ghost gear.” This discovery confirmed that the Tyrrhenian Sea is part of the routes traveled by this rare species.

In a separate incident in Ceuta, a large adult leatherback weighing between 300 and 400 kilograms was rescued after being trapped in fishing nets at the Almadrabeta. Divers found the turtle in a semi-conscious state with respiratory distress due to water aspiration. Following a stabilization protocol by the Center for the Study and Conservation of Marine Animals (CECAM), the turtle was successfully released back into the sea.

## Timeline

### 2026-10-28: Leatherback sea turtle rescued from fishing nets in Ceuta

Divers and marine specialists in Ceuta rescued and reanimated a 300-400 kg leatherback sea turtle trapped in fishing nets overnight.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/leatherback-sea-turtle-rescued-from-fishing-nets-in-ceuta

### 2026-10-21: Leatherback sea turtle found dead on Feniglia beach

A rare 180-centimeter leatherback sea turtle was found dead on a Tuscan beach after becoming entangled in abandoned fishing nets.

3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/leatherback-sea-turtle-found-dead-on-feniglia-beach

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Cite as: Leatherback sea turtle entanglement incidents. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/leatherback-sea-turtle-entanglement-incidents