Young Hawaiian monk seal found dead in abandoned lay net on Oʻahu North Shore

A 3-month-old Hawaiian monk seal was found dead Aug. 5, entangled in an abandoned lay net about 10 yards offshore from an area west of Mokulēʻia Beach Park on Oʻahu’s North Shore.

Officers from Hawaiʻi Department of Land and Natural Resources Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement were dispatched to the scene and collaborated with Hawaiʻi Marine Animal Response to recover the dead seal.

Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement officers found the net was unattended, with no surface buoys or registration labels.

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Fisheries identified the seal as RV36, a male, born in late April at Kaʻena Point State Park. The carcass was turned over to National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, which will conduct a necropsy, or post-mortem examination.

“Irresponsible, reckless and negligent use of lay nets kills aquatic life needlessly,” said Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement Chief Jason Redulla in a state release. “This is why the use of nets, particularly nets involved in the lay net fishing method, are highly regulated.”

Lay net fishers must retain an annual permit from the Hawaiʻi Department of Land and Natural Resources Division of Aquatic Resources and are responsible for recovering their nets and following all applicable rules and regulations.

This seal’s death is considered a “take” under the federal Marine Mammal Protection Act and responsible parties could face significant penalties.

The Marine Mammal Protection Act pre-empts Hawaiʻi from enforcing its own laws and rules protecting marine mammals, so Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement is conducting a thorough investigation and will transfer all findings to National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Office of Law Enforcement to determine if any federal enforcement action will be taken.

How you can help

• Anyone with information or evidence relating to the party that might be responsible for the abandonment or placement of this gill net should contact Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement at 808-643-DLNR or National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Office of Law Enforcement at 800-853-1964.
• Anyone who comes across an injured, entangled or dead seal should report it immediately to the statewide National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Marine Wildlife Hotline at 888-256-9840.
• All gill net fishers in Hawaiʻi should familiarize themselves with Hawaiʻi Administrative Rule 13-75-12.4, Lay Nets and report those who endanger wildlife through irresponsible fishing practices.
• All gill nets should be registered and labeled.