While diving along Stern's Wharf in Santa Barbara, I encountered a Thorn-back Ray (Platyrhinoidis triseriata) tangled up in fishing gear. I set my camera down to help cut it loose. I wasn't familiar with the species so I didn't know if it had a barbed tail or if it was dangerous. (Turns out they're harmless) I took out my dive knife and started cutting away the line. I wasn't able to get the hook out but they tend to rust off fish, as long as there isn't any slack to tangle them up again.
It feels good to help an animal in need, but I wish I didn't have to.
Please clean up your fishing gear if possible. Fishing gear accounts for the vast majority of marine trash pollution. Every time your hook gets snagged and you just cut away the fishing line, it leaves an entanglement trap for other marine creatures.
If you fish a spot regularly, consider throwing on a tank and cleaning up some trash so that we aren't just destroying our oceans.
