Bob and Peri and Kristen and I went out to look for a turtle which I had seen weeks before that has fishing line

endangering its flipper. We were unable to find it. But enjoyed the nice conditions anyway. I set up the GoPro

to get some footage of the turtles taking it easy with no one near them. At one point the camera was taken to

the surface and I returned it to the sand bottom.

There was one turtle that got real close to tipping over the camera; ironically out of view from the lens.

While searching beyond the cleaning station for the turtle, we came across a large colony of mushroom coral.

And a stand out:

The next day, Bob Peri and I decided to go out again. There has been a juvenile Monk seal reported to be in

the area and we kept our eyes out for it as well. As it turned out, the seal saw us as we were making our way

out to the station and it came over to check us out.

It hung around Bob first and then went over to Peri and then back to Bob. I was feeling left out.

In the background shot of Peri above, you can see a dive float that was coming right by us. The seal left

Bob and Peri presumably to investigate. At that point, I got in the water clipped to my ski hoping to see

what was going on beneath us. As it turned out, the little lady had a real interest in the dive float.

She liked to mouth the float and bump it around.

A couple times it looked like she was going to come check me out but she returned to the divers and then

she came by me and as I turned to watch her, saw that she had become interested in my ski.

I was clipped by a short tether to the bow of the ski and pretty much fixed in place. It was my turn for some

eye contact.

She seemed to enjoy rubbing against the ski and even the fin under it.

I switched to video:

In My Opinion:

Like all animals, we originally came from the sea and like some land animals, some of us, have a fascination and desire to experience the ocean and explore its wonders. When we enter the water, the old adage, don't make waves, can have literal as well as figurative significance. I believe if not actually welcome, we can strive for tolerance and acceptance by the creatures who live in the ocean. It's been my experience that smooth, and slow movements in the water minimizes the impact on the critters whereas rapid kicking, splashing and outward signs of excitement are apt to excite and cause concern. I have been approached by a tiger shark, whales, dolphins and sea turtles as well as a couple Monk seals and in all cases, I held my ground but in a passive and non confrontational pose. In all cases, I have had incredible encounters initiated and terminated by them. To what extent I may have satisfied their curiosity I have no idea. They have only re-enforced mine of them.

Growing up on the California coast, I have had numerous encounters with seals and sea lions. When surfing or diving you never knew when you might be visited upon. There are conflicts among people and ocean mammals for both food and space but for the most part it seems live and let live prevails. The Hawaiian Monk seal is critically endangered and the health and well being of each one of these animals is of paramount importance to the species as well as any persons who have taken the Monk seal situation to heart. Interactions between the seals and people can be a real concern and guidelines have been put in place with the intent of protecting these seals. Conflicts of interest can arise. I don't know what the proper course of action is but I do know that the number of people visiting the ocean is on the rise and hopefully the number of Monk seals in these waters will also rise. It would be a bold lie to say that I don't welcome encounters with the various critters and creatures of the ocean and this includes the occasional visit by a Monk seal. I have heard tell that there is concern with this young female seal based on her curiosity and pension to visit people out on the reef and that it might even be decided to relocate her away from areas where she is likely to encounter people. It seems to me that the philosophy of "First, do no harm" might be the proper guide line here. From what I have heard and witnessed with personal observation, this seal has caused no harm nor have the people she has encountered. If the intent is to discourage her desire and willingness to approach people then it would seem that it is up to some people to initiate change in her behavior.

Those of us who she approached in these stills and video all presented her with a passive front. We didn't pursue her, pet her or encourage her visits. It would seem the lesson for this young seal to learn is that we are no threat nor do we provide any benefit to her in approaching us. She seemed to enjoy checking out our craft, some of the people's swim fins, and certainly the dive float and flag. In the second video, at one point she comes up to one of the divers and mouths his heel which is mostly protected by the fin strap. I saw this happen and felt it might be a bad deal if she bit down hard. I saw the diver react to this in a subtle manner and it seemed that the seal immediately picked up on possibly going out of bounds with its actions. I asked him if it hurt which you can hear in the audio. He said it didn't but it appeared to me that just his subtle shifting of his foot when she mouths him broke off her interest if not comfort level. She proceeded after this incident to disengage and swim off. It seems to me that animals can communicate at some simple and universal level across species in the case of a line being crossed or a boundary being violated. A gesture or vocal response is often all that is required

******

After the Monk seal took off, we proceeded to the cleaning station but did not see the turtle in distress.