Pelican dragging litter has trouble flying

Sunday afternoon, after the Lauderdale by the Sea Arts & Craft Show, sitting on the beach with friends. We saw a pelican out a ways in the water trying to fly, but having difficulty getting lift. As we watched it looked like it was dragging something a foot or two behind.

The pelican paddled to shore and came out of the water. As the surf would recede you could see there  was definitely litter of some kind a foot or two behind him, probably attached to his body with fishing line. It was very sad to feel so helpless and know there was nothing we could do to help this poor old bird.

It eventually did fly away, but with great effort. It will probably be difficult for this creature to survive. If only we were litter-free.