Hawaiian monk seal back at sea after swallowing fifth fish hook
CRAIG T. KOJIMA / JAN. 16, 2015
Benny the seal is let go at White Sands Beach in January of last year. He took a couple of looks around before making his way to beach. The animal was found Dec. 29 , 2014 with fishing line in its mouth and a hook embedded in its stomach.
A Hawaiian monk seal is back at sea after its fifth life-saving surgery to remove a fishing hook it swallowed.
The 14-year-old, 400-pound seal known as Benny was seen off Makua Beach in early October with a fishing line hanging out of his mouth, Hawaii Public Radio reported. Scientist Charles Littnan recognized that as a sign that Benny might have swallowed a hook.
“We grabbed him, put him in the cage and brought him to the regional center where we work,” said Littnan, a lead researcher for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Hawaiian Monk Seal Program. “And we found that it was sort of our worst fears.”
X-rays showed that a barbed circle fishing hook was wedged deeply into Benny’s stomach wall. The seal was immediately given surgery, which was followed by a couple weeks of recovery and a steady diet of 10 pounds of fish per day.
“Suturing all of that stuff up for an animal that has to swim, it’s a scary situation,” said Littnan. “These animals have an amazing capacity to heal, so if you can make it through the surgery you’re probably in a good place.”
Benny was taken back to the beach, where a group of scientists and volunteers cheered as he hauled himself to the water.
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This was Benny’s fifth hook-related injury. Rescuers released Benny in January of last year after life-saving surgery on New Year’s Eve to remove a 4-inch fishhook from Benny’s stomach.
“Hopefully we will not be seeing any more hooks from Benny,” said Littnan. “Because five hooks is five too many.”
There are 10 or 11 seal hookings each year, and most occur on the mouth and can be removed on the beach. NOAA is urging fishermen to consider barbless hooks, which are easier to remove.
“With the barbed hook, you’re ensuring that more trauma is going to be done,” said Littnan.
3 responses to “Hawaiian monk seal back at sea after swallowing fifth fish hook”
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Gotta train these seals to not eat fish-hooks.
My sentiments exactly…10 to 11 hookings per year. I question if there are any seals who succumb to the injury and never get reported in the statistics. Would barbless hooks work at all for who fish for sport or sustenance? Per the article, I do not see Mr. Littman reaching out to fishermen in our Community to develop a plausible program to prevent reoccurence…a “recommendation” won’t do it. Seriously, this collaboration could open the door for development of an acceptable alternative. Ironically if you read the article carely the “invasive” species is man and don’t malign to kitties so much..sad.
Fishermen not going to listen to what he says. The monk seal is their enemy.