Media Watch, The Molokai Dispatch, 11 November 2010
With a dwindling Hawaiian monk seal population, federal officials are proposing a new plan to improve the survival of the endangered species. However, some Molokai fishermen say they are worried the plan could come at their expense.
The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) is preparing a programmatic environmental impact statement (PEIS) for an action plan that seeks to relocate monk seals to Molokai and other islands.
The NFMS is considering moving recently-weaned female pups from the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands (NWHI) to the Main Hawaiian Islands (MHI) for three years. During this time, the seals would be released among wild pups and be monitored and studied before being returned to their respective islands. […]
“I’m a fisherman and I’ve personally seen seals with fish in their mouths,” said Capt. Clay Ching. “I’ve heard comments [from other fisherman] that the seals are a nuisance and eating the fish right out of the nets.”
Ching suggested the idea of establishing a breeding center in the NWHI, in hopes to satisfy both parties.
“It’s just a thought, but NOAA seems to have deep pockets,” Ching said. “…It would be a safe environment and there would be no human interaction.”
Walter Naki agreed, stating that human interaction would be difficult to avoid if more seals were brought to Molokai.
“We don’t want to criminalize people,” he said. “I like the part about saving seals but don’t want to see one innocent fisherman put in jail.” […]
According to NMFS, 60 to 90 percent of NWHI seals die by the age of three. However, research has shown that MHI seals do well, with 60 percent surviving to adulthood. Jeff Walters, of the NMFS, said a reason for this could be that there are less predators and competitors on MHI.
The primary focus of the seal recovery program is to modify seal behavior, decrease human socialization, and improve female survival.
“The thing about wildlife species is you need females to have pups to keep the species going,” Walters added.
If implemented, the program would be launched no earlier than 2012 and would begin with a trial phase of a few pups. The public has until Nov. 15 [now extended to November 30. Ed. ] to submit written comment before the PEIS is drafted and published. […]