MonkSealMania.blogspot.com: 12-22-11 DB's Dailies Irma@SB, RM38&Nani@RI, Kaiwi@SC, Kermit@WP, Makaiwi@WP, Right Spot@Rocky Point,

Thursday, December 22, 2011

12-22-11 DB's Dailies Irma@SB, RM38&Nani@RI, Kaiwi@SC, Kermit@WP, Makaiwi@WP, Right Spot@Rocky Point,

I was on the road at 0605, and the first stop was, of course, Crappy Cove. The place was certified Monk Seal free.

Just moments later as I cruised through Sandy Beach, I found Irma (R010) at 0610 , snoozin' at the east end of the beach. I cordoned her off, and she has remained there all day. Irma departed of her own volition at 1821.

On my 0900 Rabbit Island check I found RM38, 40 ft left of 1BS. He would later move down to cool off, and then back up. He remained all day.

On my next check at 1132 I found Nani (RK60) snoozin' on the beach, 80 ft right of 3BS. She too remained the rest of the day.

At 1250 I was at Spitting Cave for the 2nd time, and spied Kaiwi (RK96) just swimming by, headed more into the bay. She returned to SC at 1340 and remained until 1500, when she once again moved further into the bay. While at SC she was doing 8 to 12 minute dives in some pretty gnarly whitewater backwash near the big rock, and lovin' every minute of it.

Team Billand checked in at 0756 with the report of Kermit (R012) fronting 1706 at White Plains.

At 0903 they found Makaiwi (R4DF) swimming in the Nimitz Jetty area. They also noted and documented a fish hook and line at the right side of her mouth. She attempted to haul out to Kermit's location but did not succeed. The line may be affecting her ability to haul out, as often happens. She reentered the water and the Billands followed her in a westerly direction, but did not find her again. NOAA is aware of the situation and a response will happen based on access to Makaiwi.