NOAA coxswain holds station while the NOAA and PMDP divers relay data from the water.
7/12
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A Hawaiian monk seal is resting in a large derelict fishing net at Southeast Island, Manawai (Pearl and Hermes). This seal was lucky to escape entanglement, but not all seals are. Photo credit: NOAA Fisheries/Richard Chen (Permit #22677).
8/12
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Ari Halperin diving to conduct structure from motion survey at Pearl and Hermes.
9/12
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VH26, a 5-year-old female Hawaiian monk seal, swims freely after the marine debris team disentangled her from derelict fishing rope at Hōlanikū (Kure Atoll). Photo credit: NOAA Fisheries (Permit #22677).
10/12
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Trained staff among the marine debris team safely approach Hawaiian monk seal VH26 to remove derelict fishing rope from around her midsection. Photo credit: NOAA Fisheries (Permit #22677).