Monk Seal pup found dead in net

[scubadrewvideo]

This is the text from an email I received today.

Subject: FW: Turtle Bay Pup found Dead

Aloha - so sorry to send to you- but thought you should hear it from the
horse's mouth and not by someone else.
We need to stop all the gill nets. Period.
Will keep you informed about this tragedy. Kat and Rodney
__________________________________________________________
Oahu Monk Seal Volunteer Team:
>
> I have some incredibly sad news to report to you on behalf of David,
> Erin, and everyone at NOAA. Our female pup from Turtle Bay (named
> Penelope by some) was found dead.
>
> David and a team from DLNR/DOCARE recovered her entangled in a lay
> gill net about an hour ago off Makai pier. A necropsy will be
> performed this afternoon by experienced marine mammal veterinarians.
>
> I understand that David is working with some of you to call other
> volunteers so that you do not learn about this on the news tonight.
> This is tragic and a major setback, but I am hopeful that it will make
> our team even stronger in working together to promote monk seal
> recovery. David will be providing more information as it becomes
> available, but we wanted to alert you as our important partners right
> away.
>
> Chris

Aloha all,
This a very sad day indeed.

My heart is heavy as I write this e-mail.

Without going into great detail I can tell you that the preliminary necropsy
results suggest death by drowning in a lay gillnet (2 3/4 stretch mesh).

I will be out tomorrow but will try to call each of you on Wednesday

We should keep our head up and be proud of our effort in wathcing over this
pup.

As Chris alluded to this needs to make our team stronger so we can get the
messages out and continue to build our team.

Quesions are welcome and we will plan a meeting soon.
David


I have video of this pup!!!!! VERY SAD!!!

 

[justleesa]

Is this the one from this summer? Near the resort?

 

[scubadrewvideo]

Yep, I'm trying to load a picture of her but am having problems.
A video can be seen at:
http://www.scubadrewvideo.com/0706nl.htm

DAMN GILL NETS!!!!

 

[justleesa]

my, she got big!...what a terrible shame

 

[MakingBubbles]

This is very sad.

 

[Wildcard]

And who uses "gill" nets here? Tradition brah.....
Always a sad thing, bycatch and all.

 

[scubadrewvideo]

The pup can be seen in the "Beach Video".
The underwater video is a different seal

once again here is the link
http://www.scubadrewvideo.com/0706nl.htm

 

[justleesa]

oh..ok...still sad

 

[Wildcard]

And like the shark derby thread, lets not all jump on a band wagon without knowing all the facts. I did the comm gillnet fishery for a while as well as lay net lobster fishing here. Don't anymore but at least I can share some insite.
It's hard not to feel sorry for a dead baby anything....

 

[LioKai]

Kona Rules are locally made laws, and are conciderably more strict than the rest of the state. Perhaps it is time to make a change.

Change is inacted when someone stands up and says "that's enough".