In a recent outreach effort on Hawai'i Island, local authorities have increased educational talks focusing on a young Hawaiian monk seal named Keaka, frequently sighted at a bustling small boat harbor. According to the DLNR News Release, the Division of Aquatic Resources, the Division of Boating and Ocean Recreation, and The Marine Mammal Center are joining forces to inform fishers and boaters about the risks of interacting with the critically endangered species.
Affected by the harbor's schools of akule fish, Keaka has been displaying concerning behaviors including seeking out human interaction and, unfortunately, getting hooked twice this month. "She likes to interact with people who are taking pictures of her," Tyler Jeschke, a monitoring technician with DAR, described the seal’s behavior in a statement obtained by the DLNR. Keaka's presence has necessitated the distribution of specialized bags for boat operators to properly dispose of fishing waste, as direct feeding of monk seals is not only harmful but also illegal.
Education and caution are paramount, as human interactions can significantly impact a juvenile seal’s ability to forage and thrive in the wild. "Negative human interactions like crowding and purposeful feeding can alter a young, impressionable seal's normal foraging behavior and can have lasting consequences to its development and long-term health," Megan McGinnis, Associate Director of Hawai‘i Community Conservation at The Marine Mammal Center, emphasized in a DLNR interview.
Division of Boating and Ocean Recreation staff have been instrumental in this outreach, working with Division of Aquatic Resources to ensure educational signs are seen prominently and sharing the conservation message with the harbor community. Feedback has been positive; harbor users seem keen on assisting. Harbour Master David LeDuc remarked, "I'm talking to people I know, especially the fishermen, because I know people have been illegally putting things in the water like fish scraps. So, I’m like hey, get the word out to your buddies, and they’re all about it," he recounted to the DLNR.
The collaborative effort underscores the broader community's role in safeguarding Hawaii's marine life. Given the seal’s repeated presence and affectionate interactions with human observers, this engagement is crucial. As this story unfolds and Keaka continues to navigate the perilous waters between wildlife and human activity, the onus lies on both conservationists and citizens to ensure her survival and that of her species.
