A young Hawaiian monk seal named Moana is dead after an apparent entanglement in fishing gear, according to the Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources.
DLNR said Moana, or RS34, was discovered dead earlier this month on Manana Island as a result of entanglement from the “jug rig” fishing method, which it does not recommend.
Officials said while gear used in “jug rig” fishing is generally similar to bait casting and slide baiting, some key differences present an elevated risk of loss and entanglement to animals.
“Without the limitation of casting from shore, drone-out and paddle-out rigs are often composed of extremely heavy pound-test line and often include an empty household jug to float the baited hook above the bottom,” said DLNR in a news release. “When a line breaks during a fight, a fish, marine mammal, or turtle can end up dragging an excessive amount of gear, including a buoyant jug.”
The hooked animal will likely wind up entangled, snagged on the ocean floor, or exhausted beyond recovery, officials said.
“Jug fishing is an extremely unsustainable and undiscerning fishing method,” said John Silberstein, Oahu Branch Chief of the Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement. “This incident is a reminder that the choices we make on the water affect more than just fish.”
Born in 2023, Moana was often seen swimming around Oahu’s offshore islets. She was named by students at Malama Honua Elementary School in Waimanalo.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and DLNR urge the fishing community to take the following steps to help prevent future losses:
• Avoid paddle-out jug fishing and similar high-risk methods. These methods can pose a higher risk of entanglement and injury to non-target species. Remember that the use of aerial drones for the purpose of fishing (other than reconnaissance) is banned statewide. Penalties include escalating fines.
• Report lost or taken gear immediately. Officials understand accidents can happen. If a seal takes hooked bait or runs off with fishing gear, report it to NOAA and DLNR so response teams can look out for the animal and intervene if needed.
• Fish pono. Proper gear use and safe disposal help sustain both fishing resources and Hawaii’s marine wildlife.
• If paddling lines out, officials recommend using only barbless circle hooks and making a plan to recover lost or snagged gear at the end of every trip. Never free a snagged line by cutting the main line from shore.
• Avoid fishing in areas where lines may pose a hazard to surfers, swimmers, boaters or other ocean users.
The Hawaiian monk seal is one of the most endangered seal species in the world. Only about 1,600 individuals remain in the wild, which is about one-third of historic population levels.
Each death reduces the species’ chance of survival, according to NOAA, which urges people to follow its fishing guidelines around seals and turtles.
To report entangled monk seals or lost fishing gear, call the NOAA Marine Wildlife Hotline at 888-256-9840.
Source: The Garden Island