Poor Pelican: I have been in Cedar Key for the weekend with friends and took this shot of a Brown Pelican in the harbor. I have just started going through all the photographs taken and...

Geofw Loc: Thornton Cleveleys UK

I have been in Cedar Key for the weekend with friends and took this shot of a Brown Pelican in the harbor.
I have just started going through all the photographs taken and noticed this poor Pelican has a fishing line wrapped around its body.
I have never fished at all, but to see this this sickens me.
Thanks a lot to the careless fisherman, I hope you are happy who ever you are and that you never catch anything more than a cold!

(Download)

MadMikeOne Loc: So. NJ Shore - a bit west of Atlantic City

That is absolutely terrible. I live right on the Atlantic ocean and cannot even begin to tell you how many hundreds of yards I cart off our beaches no matter the season. Scissors and a plastic grocery bag are part of my camera gear when I'm out hunting my birds (for photos, of course!).

kpmac Loc: Ragley, La

I agree, it is horrible. The trash left at our beaches and along our roadsides in La. is horrible and disgusting. That said, lets not blame the fisherman, we don't know what happened. Could be a fish broke his line and later shook the hook leaving the remains of his gear in the water. Not likely, but still possible. I abhor litterers and careless anglers and hunters as much as anyone, but, having hunted and fished all my life I am hesitant to blame someone without knowing the facts. I, for one, would never leave such a snag for wildlife. Just saying.

Leicaflex Loc: Cymru

I had not noticed the fishing line until you mentioned it in your second sentence.
Hard to spot, but sure enough, in the download and zoomed in there it is.
Litter louts and careless fishermen have a lot to answer for.
This poor bird, treble.

Tpharm Loc: Central PA

Years ago we toured a pelican rehab in the Ft.Myers area (donations accepted). Probably on or near Sanibel Island. Most all the injuries are caused by nylon line or a fishing hook. They do a great job and most were released back to the wild. A tour there will show very well what carelessness can cause.

Elliern Loc: Myrtle Beach, SC

Geofw wrote:

I have been in Cedar Key for the weekend with friends and took this shot of a Brown Pelican in the harbor.
I have just started going through all the photographs taken and noticed this poor Pelican has a fishing line wrapped around its body.
I have never fished at all, but to see this this sickens me.
Thanks a lot to the careless fisherman, I hope you are happy who ever you are and that you never catch anything more than a cold!

😢😢😢

sailorsmom Loc: Souderton, PA

This breaks my heart and makes me soooo angry at the same time! Why aren't fisherman more careful??? You can really see it on download. :( But it's a good shot, Geofw!