9-13-11 NOAA Team Successfully Remove Hook

Hi All,
We were able to catch Kerby bright and early high up on the sand on the Waianae beach side out at Kaena Point. The hook was embedded superficially and was easily removed. Knowing that he was hauled up there before 7:30 am last Friday was really helpful in planning for our response today. Noa was a no show this morning and we do not anticipate that he will be hauling up anywhere safe for handling any time soon. We will be continuing to monitor him looking for opportunities to at least snip the leader if he is in a safe location to do so. As with all seal responses, we will determine the best  course of action case by case. I know you know all of this already but I'm just putting it out there to
temper the expectations of the volunteer network who may expect all seal responses to go as smoothly as this one or wonder why it seems we put more effort into one seal vs another. Kaena Point is still a bad place for catching seals but we have at least identified limited areas that may be workable always keeping human safety as a priority and what's best for the seal in the long run. 
Thanks! Dera

Thank you NOAA team, now he is back to his handsome self!

Kids today and their piercings... REALLY!