Two divers were doing what they thought was right and saved sharks--now they're facing federal felony charges.

In August 2020, two divers were out on the water in South Florida when they found an abandoned line in the middle of the ocean. They started to pull in the line and freed the sharks and endangered species who were slowly dying. They thought they were doing the right thing and even called local law enforcement (FWC) during it, alerting them to what they had found.

The line, it turned out much later, was not abandoned. It belonged to a fishing boat using a long line to kill sharks, under a NOAA research permit.

Now NOAA and the environmental prosecutor are going after the divers, charging them with federal felony charges with a maximum prison sentence of 5 years. If convicted they could lose their licenses and way to make a living.

All of this over a fishing line they thought was abandoned.

A legitimate concern for wildlife should never result in people facing felony charges and would set a horrible precedent. Please help the divers in their fight as they're now facing mounting legal fees.