Photo By Petty Officer 1st Class Tara Molle | U.S. Coast Guard Cmdr. Jeffrey Jager, operations officer for Coast Guard Air Station...... read more read more
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Story by Seaman Jack Mayers
If you visit a Coast Guard cutter it’s not uncommon to see marijuana leaves or other stickers along the side of the hull, signifying the cutter crew’s significant operations or busts. Now if you visit Air Station Barbers Point you’ll see a similar sticker, but this one is in the shape of a seal – a Hawaiian monk seal to be specific.
Monday National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration personnel presented the Hawaiian monk seal stickers to Air Station Barbers Point crew in recognition of their significant contribution to the Hawaiian monk seal conservation program and they represent the number of seal transports the Coast Guard has done.
Members of the Coast Guard, NOAA, and The Marine Mammal Center frequently partner to ensure the protection and survival of the Hawaiian monk seals under the Coast Guard living marine resource mission, one of 11 statutory missions given to the service by congress, and the Ocean Guardian Strategy.
Hawaiian monk seals are an endangered species native to the Hawaiian Islands and an estimated 1,200 animals remain.
Recently, personnel from the Coast Guard 14th District, NOAA and TMMC partnered in the transportation of rehabilitated monk seals from Kona to Honolulu aboard a Coast Guard HC-130 Hercules airplane from Air Station Barbers Point on Oahu. The animals have since been released back into the wild in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands by NOAA personnel near where they were initially found.
This is a significant moment for the Coast Guard as it highlights the largest single transport of marine life in recent years.
Initially, these seven seals were rescued by NOAA and transported by the Hercules crew from Oahu to Kona, Hawaii. The seals were then taken to the Marine Mammal Center’s Ke Kai Ola monk seal rehabilitation facility for medical care in September 2015. After reaching a full recovery, the agencies partnered for the seals return to the wild.
“This is a unique opportunity for the Coast Guard to play a part in the recovery of this species,” said Eric Roberts, Living Marine Resource Specialist, Coast Guard 14th District.
The teamwork amongst personnel of the Coast Guard, NOAA, and the TMMC’s was instrumental to getting this mission done. By working together, these agencies were able to facilitate the seals’ rescue and their eventual release back into the wild.
This partnership has successfully rehabilitated and released 15 Hawaiian monk seals and significantly contributed to the conservation and recovery of species.
Since 2008, members from the Coast Guard 14th District have been directly involved in the transportation of 46 animals, averaging about six per year. Whether marine the animals need to be transported for medical care or back to their home, the Coast Guard and NOAA are there to assist.
For over 200 years, The Coast Guard and NOAA have regularly partnered in multiple maritime missions. The two agencies are committed to safeguarding the ocean and its inhabitants now and in the future.
“Monk seals are really important to Hawaii because not only are they endangered…but they’re also the only native pinnipeds to the waters,” said Michelle Barbier, NOAA Wildlife Veterinary Medical officer. “It is important for anyone who sees a Hawaiian monk seal that appears sick or injured, to contact the NOAA hotline at 1-888-256-9840.”
Protecting marine mammals falls under one of the 11 statuary missions that the Coast Guard conducts. Understanding the critical need to protect Hawaiian monk seals, members of the Coast Guard 14th District and NOAA will continue to transport, rehabilitate, and release of this threatened species under the living marine resource mission.
| Date Taken: | 05.16.2016 |
| Date Posted: | 05.16.2016 20:04 |
| Story ID: | 198268 |
| Location: | HONOLULU , HI, US |
| Web Views: | 692 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
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