Hawaiian monk seal RT68 died on Oahu: how to share the shore safely

NOAA Fisheries reported on 20 August that endangered Hawaiian monk seal RT68, also known as Mana, had died at Pupukea on Oahu. Responders found a small fishing hook in the seal's lip. NOAA said that kind of superficial hooking is not usually fatal and that a necropsy is still needed to determine what happened.

That uncertainty is worth keeping. A hook was present, but the update does not say it caused the death. The useful lesson for everyone on the shore is still clear: give seals room, keep fishing gear under control and report an injured or dead animal instead of trying to help it yourself.

The hook is a warning about the whole shoreline#

Hawaiian monk seals forage close to the islands and rest on beaches that people also use. A discarded hook, line or net can be a problem long after the angler has left. NOAA's update also recorded a separate monk seal pup death in August after responders found the animal entangled in an unattended fishing net.

Before leaving a fishing spot, inspect the area for line, hooks, bait bags and broken tackle. Only collect gear if you can do so without approaching a seal, stepping into its resting area or risking a puncture. Put sharp tackle in a rigid container, not a loose pocket or a thin rubbish bag. If a net or line is wrapped around an animal, keep everyone back and wait for trained responders.

Do not feed or water a seal. Do not touch its flippers, try to move it or stand between it and the ocean. A seal that lifts its head, changes direction or enters the water has already told you that your position is affecting it. Back away and let the animal choose the route.

A quiet beach is still shared space#

Keep children close when wildlife is present and put dogs on a lead before they reach the high-water line. Avoid blocking a seal with a group of swimmers or photographers. If the animal is on a narrow beach, use another access point rather than waiting for it to move.

NOAA lists the Hawaiian monk seal as endangered and estimates about 1,600 animals across its range, with roughly 400 in the main Hawaiian Islands. That makes every local response matter, but it does not make a close encounter acceptable. Protected wildlife needs space more than it needs attention.

When reporting, note the beach or nearest public access, time, animal number, visible injury or gear and whether the seal is moving. Do not guess at a cause or attempt a rescue. If you find shoreline rubbish away from the animal, record the cleanup location on Garbamons so it can be dealt with safely.

The best seal photograph is the one that leaves the seal's behaviour unchanged. Put the camera down if the animal looks toward you, and give the shore back.