8/11/26 – YOUNG MONK SEAL FOUND DECEASED IN UNATTENDED LAY NET ON OʻAHU’S NORTH SHORE

YOUNG MONK SEAL FOUND DECEASED IN UNATTENDED LAY NET ON OʻAHU'S NORTH SHORE

HONOLULU - A three-month old monk seal was found deceased and entangled in an abandoned lay net approximately 10 yards offshore from an area west of Mokulēʻia Beach Park on Oʻahu's North Shore on August 5. Officers from the Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement (DOCARE) were dispatched to the scene and collaborated with Hawaiʻi Marine Animal Response (HMAR) on the recovery.

DOCARE officers found the net was unattended, with no surface buoys or registration labels. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Fisheries has identified the seal as RV36, a male, approximately three months old, born in late April at Kaʻena Point State Park. The net and carcass were recovered by DOCARE Officers and HMAR personnel. The carcass was turned over to the custody of NOAA, who will be conducting a post-mortem examination, or necropsy.

"Irresponsible, reckless, and negligent use of lay nets kills aquatic life needlessly," said DOCARE Chief Jason Redulla. "This is why the use of nets, particularly nets involved in the lay net fishing method, are highly regulated. Fishers using the lay net fishing method must retain an annual lay net permit from the DLNR Division of Aquatic Resources (DAR) and are responsible for recovering their nets and following all applicable rules and regulations."

This seal's death is considered a ʻtake' under the federal Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) and the responsible parties could face significant penalties. Because the MMPA preempts the state of Hawaiʻi from enforcing its own laws and rules protecting marine mammals, DOCARE is conducting a thorough investigation and, in accordance with the MMPA, will transfer all findings to the NOAA Office of Law Enforcement to determine if any federal enforcement action will be taken.

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RESOURCES
(All images courtesy: DLNR)

Hawaiʻi Administrative Rule 13-75-12.4, Lay Nets: https://dlnr.hawaii.gov/dar/files/2014/05/ch75rev.pdf

Photographs of deceased monk seal in lay net: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/2tyebmt329xceyg3mxlew/ADoPQKM00PMQr6JI3Nd4VUk?rlkey=n1z8tervebi4lsrh0u04cuexv&st=5lt77phi&dl=0

Media contact:
Andrew Laurence
Communications Director
State of Hawaiʻi Department of Land and Natural Resources
Phone: 808-587-0396
E-mail: [email protected]