7/31/2021

HAWKSBILL SWALLOWS ULUA HOOK

We will be sending this poor hawksbill turtle to Honolulu so that NOAA vets can evaluate the possiblity

of removing the hook and wire leader.

Call came in from DOCARE at 1900 hour that a dive boat had picked up a turtle with a hook and line attached.

I went down to Puako Launch Ramp and met the DOCARE officer there to take a look at it.

It turned out to be a juvenile hawksbill turtle with a wire leader coming out of the mouth.  I used a speculum to look into the mouth but was unable to see a hook.  I told the DOCARE Officer that I would keep it overnight and seek advice from you folks.  

I will not be able to extract the hook as it appears to be quite deep in the throat.  The animal appears to be in relatively good shape and has been seen with the hook over a period of time.. perhaps weeks by local divers.

species:  Eretmochelys imbricata

CCL = 56 cm

Location:  Puako Launch Ramp

 19.974048° N

155.831403° W

Animal is alive and uninjured except for the hook.

Imaged attached

Juvenile hawksbill with wire fishing leader coming out of the mouth.

Left side of hawksbill's head

Undoubtedly, the other end of the wire leader ends attached to a large "ulua" hook.