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This fishing catch turned into a powerful message against littering

This looks very painful for the fish.

A fish which was found to have litter wrapped around its middle in Medicine Hat, Alberta Expand

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A fish which was found to have litter wrapped around its middle in Medicine Hat, Alberta

A fish which was found to have litter wrapped around its middle in Medicine Hat, Alberta

A fish which was found to have litter wrapped around its middle in Medicine Hat, Alberta

By Max McLean

When Adam Turnbull caught a fish at Strathcona Park in Medicine Hat, Alberta, he first thought his catch had been the subject of an attack from another fish.

Sadly, it was something far more easily preventable that had caused this creature to suffer.

A fish which was found to have litter wrapped around its middle in Medicine Hat, Alberta Expand

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A fish which was found to have litter wrapped around its middle in Medicine Hat, Alberta

A fish which was found to have litter wrapped around its middle in Medicine Hat, Alberta

A fish which was found to have litter wrapped around its middle in Medicine Hat, Alberta

“I was blown away,” said Adam, a 28-year-old carpenter. “I thought the fish had been attacked by another fish until I noticed the plastic.

“My first thought was: how is this alive?”

The injury sustained by a fish which was trapped in litter Expand

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The injury sustained by a fish which was trapped in litter

The injury sustained by a fish which was trapped in litter

The injury sustained by a fish which was trapped in litter

But it was alive, albeit presumably in a lot of pain. Adam explained that the plastic was a Powerade wrapper which he believed had been wrapped around the fish for some time.

“At a young age I believe it swam through it unknowingly and it became stuck on the fish, which grew with the obstruction,” he said.

“I removed it with scissors, then I put the fish back and it took off like a dart. I’ve been told by a biologist this fish will likely thrive now.”

Litter that was found wrapped around a fish in Medicine Hat, Alberta Expand

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Litter that was found wrapped around a fish in Medicine Hat, Alberta

Litter that was found wrapped around a fish in Medicine Hat, Alberta

Litter that was found wrapped around a fish in Medicine Hat, Alberta

Hopefully it does indeed thrive after having been rescued, and Adam had a message for others after he freed this fish from its plastic prison.

“My message is simple: think twice before you litter,” he said. “Your effects may not be seen to you, but can cause tragedy.”

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