If you see an injured or entangled animal off Lanzarote, it's natural to want to help straight away. Over years of guiding snorkels and dives around the island I've seen everything from sea turtles with fishing line caught around flippers, to sunfish with nets trailing behind them and small cetaceans washed ashore. My priority is always the safety of people and the animal, and getting the right information to the right people fast. Below I share exactly who I call, the photos and notes I collect, and how I brief clients so they know what to do (and what not to do) when they spot a distressed animal.
Who to call first
There are three clear first points of contact:
Emergency services (112) — If the animal is on the shore and clearly in immediate danger, or if people are injured, call 112. That's the universal emergency number in Spain and will route your call to the appropriate local services.Salvamento Marítimo (Maritime Rescue) — For animals at sea that need urgent attention, Salvamento Marítimo is the national maritime rescue service. In many cases 112 will forward to them, but if you have a direct line from a local dive centre they can also contact maritime rescue assets.Local authorities and NGOs — After the emergency services, contact the local Ayuntamiento (town hall) or the Cabildo de Lanzarote, which coordinate local wildlife responses. There are also local conservation groups and dive centres that frequently assist with animal rescues; if you dive with a centre we work closely with them to mobilise trained responders.When in doubt, call 112. They will coordinate and escalate to Salvamento Marítimo, Guardia Civil - Seprona (environmental protection unit) or local municipal services as needed.
What to photograph — the shots that matter
A few clear photos can massively speed up a rescue. I ask clients to prioritise these images if they safely can:
Wide shot of the scene — a photo that shows the animal in context (shoreline, rocks, buoys) so responders can identify access points and hazards.Close-up of the injury or entanglement — zoom in on the area where line/net/hook is attached. Make sure the entangling material is visible and in focus.Scale reference — place an object of known size in the frame (a hand wearing a glove, a camera, a SMB) so responders can judge the animal's size. Don’t touch the animal for the sake of scale unless you are trained and it’s safe.Multiple angles — front, side and rear shots if possible. Tangled lines can loop under or behind limbs and may not be visible from one angle.Identifying features — head shape, dorsal fin, shell markings, spots, tail shape. These help confirm species identity.GPS/location & time — photo metadata often contains GPS and timestamp data automatically; if your camera is not geotagging, note the time and an accurate location (GPS coordinates from a watch or phone, or a clear description like “5 min north of Playa Blanca harbour”).If you’re underwater and using a camera, keep breaths and buoyancy stable. Quick, clear images are better than many blurred shots.
What NOT to do
I brief clients on a short list of behaviours to avoid — emphasise calm and distance:
Do not attempt to free a large animal unless you are trained and properly equipped. A trapped turtle or seal can bite, thrash and cause injury.Don't cut line blindly. Cutting the wrong rope can cause more harm or leave hooks embedded.Do not crowd the animal or force it into shallow water; that increases stress and risk of drowning.Avoid loud noises and fast movements. Keep non-essential people back and keep children and dogs controlled.How I brief clients before a trip
Before every guided snorkel or dive I give a short, practical briefing so if someone spots an injured animal they know exactly what to do. My briefing includes:
Stay safe, stay back — If you see an animal in distress, keep at least several metres distance. Alert your buddy and the guide immediately.Get clear images — Use your camera or phone to get the photos I outlined above. If you have a dive computer or GPS watch, jot down the coordinates or take a photo of the map screen.Mark the spot — If safe to do so, release a surface marker buoy (SMB) or throw a bright float/throwbag to mark the location for rescue teams. This helps maritime crews find the animal quickly.Call or report through the guide — I will call 112 or our local rescue contact immediately; clients can call if they are onshore and more convenient. I also collect photos/data and send them directly to salvage/rescue teams.Equipment reminders — I remind the group where the onboard VHF/phone is, and which local numbers we use. I often carry a simple kit: gloves, a smaller pair of bolt cutters (for entanglement assessment only by pros), a whistle and a radio/phone in a dry bag.Practical things I carry and recommend
On every trip I bring and recommend clients consider these items:
Waterproof camera or phone in a good waterproof case — for quick documentation.GPS watch or phone with offline maps — to capture accurate coordinates.Surface marker buoy (SMB) — a small, bright float is invaluable for marking an animal’s location without approaching it.Gloves and a small first-aid kit — for team safety; not for intervening with wildlife unless trained.VHF radio and charged phone in a dry bag — to contact maritime rescue if needed.Information I include in reports — table of fields
| Field | Why it helps |
| Location (GPS or detailed description) | Rescue teams need precise access points and hazards. |
| Time and date | Determines urgency and tidal context. |
| Species (if known) / size estimate | Different species require different handling and resources. |
| Nature of the injury/entanglement | Helps responders bring correct tools (e.g. hooks, net cutters). |
| Photos and videos | Visual evidence speeds triage and planning. |
| Number of people on scene | Rescue teams may need to know if volunteers are available to assist under guidance. |
Example script I use when calling 112 or Salvamento Marítimo
I teach guides a short script to ensure all vital info is given quickly and calmly. Here’s the version I use:
“Hello, this is a report of an entangled/injured marine animal off [exact location/GPS]. The current time is [time]. Species appears to be [turtle/dolphin/etc.]; size approx. [length]. The animal is [floating/nearshore/ashore] and the entanglement appears to be [description]. Photos and GPS coordinates available. There are [number] people at the scene, and we have [VHF/phone]. Please advise which service will respond.”When and how I intervene
I only intervene personally when I have the training and the right equipment, or when directed by authorised rescue teams. For smaller entanglements where I can safely free a fishhook from a small fish or remove monofilament from a crab without putting anyone at risk, I will do so quickly and document the removal. For turtles, seals, dolphins, or complex net entanglements I always stop, secure the scene and call the professionals.
After the report — follow-up and learning
After a rescue or report, I always follow up with the responding agency and the clients. We review what happened, what was done well, and what we can improve. I log the incident on the centre’s incident register and use anonymised photos for training briefings — real cases improve everyone’s awareness. If the animal is rehabilitated or released, I update clients and the local network; these success stories are great learning tools and help keep volunteers motivated.
If you dive or snorkel around Lanzarote regularly, get familiar with the protocol above and talk to your local dive centre about their emergency contacts. Being prepared — with a simple photographic checklist, an SMB and knowledge of who to call — makes a huge difference. And most importantly: keep your distance, document, and let trained responders do the freeing.
