Fish, sharks, stingray caught in illegal net off Sanibel shoreline

SANIBEL, Fla. (WINK) — About 500 feet of illegal gill netting was removed from waters off Sanibel after marine wildlife became trapped in it, according to the Sanibel Police Department.

Sanibel police said the netting was found off West Gulf Drive. Officers Sutton and Royka worked with biologists from the Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation to remove the net and free wildlife.

According to the police department, a fish, sharks and a stingray were caught in the netting.

City of Sanibel Public Information Officer Eric Jackson said manatees were swimming near the net while crews worked to remove it.

“There were manatee that were around and manatee swimming up to the net,” Jackson said.

Jackson said one manatee came close to becoming caught but was able to get away.

“One came right up to the net and almost got caught, but then was able to get out,” Jackson said. “Thankfully, they're fine.”

Crews were also able to untangle and release a stingray, according to the city. WINK News video from the scene showed a dead shark among the marine life affected by the net.

Sanibel visitor Charlene Keifer said she was relieved crews were able to remove the netting.

“I'm thankful it's all pulled up because, you know, unfortunately, they don't understand that they're swimming into a death trap,” Keifer said.

Keifer was at the boat ramp when Sanibel officers turned the investigation and recovered netting over to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.

Keifer said Sanibel’s wildlife has kept her family returning to the island for decades and called the discovery “appalling.”

FWC told WINK News investigators do not know who the net belongs to. The agency also said using gill-net gear in state waters is a felony.

FWC is leading the investigation, according to officers at the scene. Investigators planned to take the recovered netting into evidence as part of the case.