Pippa Mozambique: Day 44. Illegal turtle catch

It was a bright and breezy morning and the sun was at our backs as Chloe and I began our walk to Paindane (approximately 5km from our home at Guinjata Bay). About 20 minutes into the walk we saw a large object being pulled through the breakers a few hundred metre away. We quickened our pace and soon met two men, Chloe recognised one as a fishermen. We asked him what was in the net he gave us a word in Betongo the local dialect. He looked nervous as we followed him and his friend and he began to explain that what they had caught was very illegal but they couldn't help what swam into their net.

As we drew nearer to the net we finally understood. We could see a huge turtle tangled up inside. It was only when we reach the creature that we realised it was still alive. In a dazed state of adrenaline we helped the fishermen pull the net up out of the breakers. We expected them to cut this creature out as soon as it was safe to do so. A small group of men, women and children quickly assembled to try and detangle the net before any other observers could see. We began to tell the fishermen from early that he must cut the live turtle free quickly before it died. He was nervously reluctant and mumbled something about untangling the net first. As the net was unraveled we saw its other victims, two more turtles, one alive, and a dead devil ray. The live turtles we gasping and contouring their necks and fins against the harsh strain of the net. Trying to pull the wire from the throat of the nearest gasping turtle we looked into it's terrified eyes. The compassion you feel for such a majestic creature in such a horrific scenario is something I cannot yet put into words.

We were still both under the impression that the live turtles would be released. I could not tell you how long we were stood there trying to shield the eyes of this dying animal from the harsh sandy wind that blew over us. After sometime the first live turtle was dragged out but we were preoccupied with the other victim and did not see as they dragged the free created away over the sand and up the dune. When we saw what was happening Chloe asked why was it not being put back into the sea? We were mocked and taunted by the children present who thought it was amusing. The man from earlier gave us a sheepish look and told us that they had to show their catch to the authorities first but you could see even he couldn't make this lie convincing.

This was the saddest thing I have ever witnessed.