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The shooting is the third deliberate seal killing of 2021 on the island of Molokai, investigators said. “Why would somebody do that?” one resident asked.
An endangered Hawaiian monk seal that was found dead on a beach in September had been deliberately shot in the head, officials said on Tuesday, in the third intentional seal killing of 2021 on the same island.
The seal shooting on Molokai, a sparsely populated island northwest of Maui, is the seventh intentional one there in the past decade, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration said. Such killings are significant blows to a landmark species with only 1,400 or so surviving members.
The latest victim, a young female known to researchers as L11, was found dead on Molokai’s South Shore in September. The dead seal was reported to the authorities by Dr. Boki Chung, a local dentist.
Dr. Chung found the seal on a beach where she walks her dogs. She later told a journalist that she had been surprised to see a bruise around one of its eyes, suggesting that someone had attacked it.
“Why would somebody do that?” she said, according to a report by the news site Honolulu Civil Beat.
L11 died from an “intentional gunshot wound to the head,” the state’s Department of Land and Natural Resources announced on Tuesday. “It is past time for anyone who has information on the killing of this seal and the others to step forward,” the department’s chairwoman, Suzanne Case, said in a news release.
Two other Hawaiian monk seals that washed up on Molokai in April died of “blunt force trauma,” according to NOAA. A total of 10 have died this year, including two by reproductive complications, the agency said on Tuesday.
In other cases, the cause of death was inconclusive because the carcasses were heavily decomposed or had washed out to sea.
The species — named for a thick fold of skin on its neck that resembles a monk’s robe — is the only marine mammal found solely in United States waters, according to the National Wildlife Federation. Adults typically measure more than 6.6 feet and weigh 400 pounds to 600 pounds.
Hawaiian monk seals are the most endangered seal or sea lion species in the United States, according to the Marine Mammal Center, a nonprofit in Sausalito, Calif.
The species is also the only seal that has evolved to live in the tropics, John Henderson, a retired NOAA researcher, said in a 2019 conversation with a colleague that was published on the agency’s website.
“Staying cool can often be as much of a challenge as staying warm,” he said.
The estimated population of Hawaiian monk seals is about 1,400 and grew by about 2 percent from 2013 to 2019, according to NOAA. Most of them live in a remote group of Hawaiian islands, atolls and shoals that span 1,200 nautical miles. Only about 300 live on Hawaii’s eight main islands, including Molokai.
The leading causes of death in the population include toxoplasmosis, a disease caused by a parasite that is shed into marine environments through cat feces, and entrapment in fishing nets, according to NOAA.
Intentional killing is a top threat to the population’s recovery in the main Hawaiian Islands, Angela Amlin, the Hawaiian monk seal recovery coordinator at the agency’s Pacific islands fisheries office, said in a brief statement on Tuesday.
NOAA said in September that six seal fatalities on Molokai from 2021 that were under investigation at the time represented an unprecedented number of deaths over a nine-month period.
“A lot of seals found dead,” an unnamed investigator from Hawaii’s conservation police said in a video of a Molokai field investigation that state officials uploaded in May. “I think the seals deserve better.”
Atlantic Salmon Farmer Wins Its Second Honor After Switching from Air Freight to Sea
SØRVÁGUR, Faroe Islands, Dec. 21, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Hiddenfjord, a family-owned company from the Faroe Islands providing fresh salmon to North America and Europe, has won a 2021 SEAL Business Sustainability Award. Hiddenfjord was recognized by SEAL (which stands for Sustainability, Environmental Achievement, and Leadership) in the category of Environmental Initiatives for the company's dramatic reduction in transportation-related CO2 emissions, which dropped 94% when they switched from air freight to sea freight last year.
Hiddenfjord wins SEAL Business Sustainability Award-- Second honor in Recognition of 94% Reduction in Carbon Emissions
"Our core value is sustainability, and our fundamental belief is that our activities today must not hinder future activities," said Atli Gregersen, owner and CEO of Hiddenfjord. "We humbly accept this award, recognizing that we all have to take more responsibility when it comes to making a change today. As current stewards of the planet, we owe it to future generations to not just talk about sustainability but to take direct action towards creating it."
Hiddenfjord stopped using air freight in October 2020, making them the first salmon farmer in the world to rely solely on more sustainable transportation. In a film released to celebrate the anniversary of this milestone, the company detailed how using ocean-freight liners to deliver fresh salmon to customers led to a major drop in their carbon footprint.
Additionally, Hiddenfjord's environmental leadership has been recognized by the UK's Business Brilliance Awards, where they won a Gold Award in the Environmental & Corporate Sustainability category. Gregersen has also received a nomination for Business Leader of the Year by the edie Sustainability Leaders Awards, one of the most prestigious business sustainability awards in the UK. This nomination is based on Hiddenfjord's work in animal welfare and sustainability over the last 30 years. Examples include their unique stress-free harvesting system and raising large smolt on land, shortening the time salmon spend in the ocean, and, therefore, minimising the risk of sea lice. Together with Faroese authorities, Hiddenfjord has continuously advocated for strict and sensible veterinary legislation in the Faroe Islands and inspired other farming countries to adopt similar legislation.
The winners will be announced on February 2, 2022.
About Hiddenfjord
With roots dating back to 1887, this Faroe Island-based salmon farming company is a family-owned business emphasizing quality, innovation, and sustainable practices. For more information, visit hiddenfjord.com.
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Deterra Drug Deactivation and Disposal System Wins 2021 SEAL Business Sustainability Award Crow River MediaMARK NANCE/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Jersey Shore's Devon Walker shoots against Montoursville during Monday's game.
JERSEY SHORE — The Jersey Shore student section roared a few feet away, but Nyla Kutney only heard the basketball bouncing off the floor. And then the sweet sound of the ball going through the net.
A sophomore playing just her fourth high school basketball game after missing last season with an injury, Kutney embraced the pressure late Monday night against the Bulldogs. She wanted the ball and she owned her big moments. After Jersey Shore trimmed an 11-point deficit to three, Kutney drained four consecutive free throws.
Jersey Shore kept coming back and still had one last shot to tie in the closing seconds, but Kutney again delivered. This time she blocked Peyton Dincher’s 3-point attempt with less than a second remaining. Shyanne Klemick then hit a game-clinching free throw and sealed Montoursville’s riveting 62-58 win. A game which swayed back and forth like a pendulum was filled with outstanding performances by players from both gritty teams.
Ultimately, the young sophomore helped make the big difference.
“I wasn’t really nervous,” Kutney said. “I’m just trying to block out the noise. It felt really good making them.”
MARK NANCE/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Jocelyn McCracken shoots for Jersey Shore against Montoursville on Monday night.
Long-time rivals battled hard throughout and produced, one of the area’s best basketball games in this young season. Jersey Shore erased an eight-point first-quarter deficit, built a 10-point lead late in the second and led by eight at halftime. Montoursville may have been staggered but it came roaring back, dominated the third quarter, went on a 23-4 run and never trailed again.
All 10 players Montoursville coach Sean Walker used made strong impacts and his bench was especially vital. That included Kutney who scored seven points and grabbed five rebounds. She saved her best for last and was ready when Jersey Shore went for the tie. Dincher, an outstanding freshman guard, had helped fuel the fourth-quarter comeback and caught a pass near the top of the key.
Dincher quickly set her feet and let the ball fly, but Kutney came charging out from the foul line and blocked it. Klemick came out of the ensuing scrum with the loose ball and Montoursville (2-2) secured a dramatic win which could pay big dividends as this season continues.
“I just knew there were only a couple seconds left,” Kutney said. “I knew she was going to shoot so I stayed up and went after it.”
“Since taking the program over I’ve heard nothing but stories about her. I told her, ‘Nyla I just need you to be an athlete,’ and she’s a natural athlete,” Walker said. “Each and every game that we have played so far, she keeps progressing. She just gets better and better.”
MARK NANCE/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Montoursville's Sydnie Stone tries to get a shot off as Jersey Shore's defense closes in on Monday.
Montoursville grew much better after Jersey Shore went on a 21-3 run over a near nine-minute span and built a 10-point lead late in the second quarter. A Sydnie Stone runner stopped the bleeding and made it 32-24 at halftime, but the Bulldogs appeared in control. Instead, Walker switched to a full-court press and Montoursville quickly changed the game’s course.
The Warriors forced eight third-quarter turnovers and scored 23 points, going ahead to stay on Alaina Marchioni’s putback three minutes into the third quarter. Six players scored during that game-changing run and Montoursville snapped a two-game losing streak, revealing both its character and potential.
“I know what they are and I know from the last three years being at Williamsport and facing them, I know that fight is there. It’s just sometimes you have to will it out of them,” Walker, Williamsport’s former JV coach, said. “I think sometimes we get a little lazy or a little bit of hurt feelings but once we kick it back in gear we can be dominant, especially with our press we can be very dominant. I’m excited with what we’re doing.”
So is Jersey Shore.
The Bulldogs (3-1) already have matched last year’s win total and never sulked after Montoursville built its first-quarter and second-half leads, repeatedly coming back hard. Jersey Shore already has matched last year’s win total and has a nice mix of talented newcomers and hard-working veterans. It was not the result Jersey Shore wanted Monday, but it learned a lot which could make it better as the season continues.
MARK NANCE/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Montoursville's Nyla Kutney drives against Jersey Shore on Monday night.
“The effort’s there and the intensity is there; they play very hard,” Jersey Shore coach Darrin Bischof said. “In the long run you’ll see mistakes like that will turn over, where we’re the ones capitalizing and not struggling a little bit in the third and fourth quarters.”
Jersey Shore forward Jocelyn McCracken was a force and scored both a career and area-high 28 points. The sophomore was virtually unstoppable in the first half, scoring 18 points, including 12 straight to open the second quarter as Jersey Shore went on its big run. McCracken had a hand in 14 of the team’s first 16 points that quarter and added six rebounds and five steals.
McCracken was a handful in the post, but Montoursville’s press forced her to come out more since she is one of the team’s top ball-handlers. That negated Jersey Shore’s strength inside, but the Bulldogs still revealed a potent blend with McCracken on the inside and Dincher (13 points, 9 rebounds, 4 blocks, 4 steals) a skilled shooter who also is outstanding attacking the basket.
“We stressed at halftime that I don’t think they have anyone that can play her (McCracken) in the post. If we can continue to get it to her they can’t stop her down there,” Bischof said. “The problem was getting it to her in the second half. When she has to come out and handle the ball it’s tough for her to get down on the block.”
It took a team effort to slow Jersey Shore down following its 32-point first half and that is what Montoursville produced. Senior Maddie Adams shined, scoring 16 points, pulling down a game-high 10 rebounds and adding two steals. Maddie Labatch scored 12 points, collected nine rebounds and made four steals. Stone scored nine points and grabbed seven rebounds, while Marchioni (8 points) played strong defense.
MARK NANCE/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Montoursville's Drew Sees dribbles against Jersey Shore on Monday night.
And when Walker went to his bench there was no drop off. On a night Montoursville experienced foul trouble, the reserves came up huge. Kutney, Kristen George, Maya Neiman, Mahlon Yonkin and Ashlyn Loe all provided sparks in crucial areas, helping the Warriors build that lead and then hold off Jersey Shore’s comeback.
“They know that everybody plays a part on this team. It’s not just one, it’s not just two. Everyone has something to do with this team, so everybody is going to get minutes,” Walker said. “When you come off the bench be ready to contribute. It’s not about scoring all the time. It’s coming down and grabbing rebounds, playing good defense and doing things like that changes the complexion of the game also.”
Devon Walker showed all those qualities and was key in Jersey Shore rallying throughout the fourth quarter, creating several turnovers while finishing with eight rebounds. Celia Shemory added six points and eight rebounds; freshman Cailyn Schall dealt four assists and different players took turns making something positive happen.
Even down 10 with less than three minutes remaining, Jersey Shore showed no quit and Dincher scored five straight points before Shemory made it 55-52. Cue Kutney who made her four straight foul shots. Unfazed, McCracken went coast to coast for a layup before Walker’s steal and layup made it 61-58 with 12 seconds remaining.
“I feel like other teams in the league will do the same thing Montoursville did, so it’s a matter of us adjusting and being smart with the basketball, so I think this will help us,” Bischof said. “We will continue to grow.”
MONTOURSVILLE (62)
Maddie Labatch 4 3-4 12, Maddie Adams 5 4-4 16, Alaina Marchioni 4 0-2 8, Shayanne Klemick 2 1-4 6, Sydnie Stone 4 1-5 9, Nyla Kutney 1 5-6 7, Kristen George 0 0-0 0, Maya Neiman 0 2-2 2, Mahlon Yonkin 1 0-0 2, Ashlyn Loe 0 0-0 0. Totals 21 16-27 62.
JERSEY SHORE (58)
Peyton Dincher 3 5-6 13, Jocelyn McCracken 10 8-11 28, Cailyn Schall 0 2-2 2, Sophia Kauffman 0 0-1 0, Natalie Haight 0 0-0 0, Rachel Lorson 1 1-1 3, Devon Walker 2 0-4 4, Celia Shemory 3 0-1 6, Rayne Herritt 1 0-0 2. Totals 20 16-26 58.
Montoursville 19 5 23 15 — 62
Jersey Shore 16 16 6 20 — 58
3-pointers: Montoursville 4 (Adams 2, Labatch, Klemick); Jersey Shore 2 (Dincher 2).
Records: Montoursville 2-2. Jersey Shore 3-1.
A group of 47 Republican lawmakers filed an amicus brief in support of a federal lawsuit brought by more than two-dozen Navy SEALS seeking a religious exemption to the Biden administration’s vaccine mandate.
The suit, which names President Joe Biden, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and Navy Secretary Carlos Del Toro, will be heard in a federal courthouse in Fort Worth, Texas, on Monday. The lawsuit was brought on behalf of 26 Navy SEALs and nine special operations crewmembers.
The group of lawmakers, which includes nine senators and 38 representatives, is led by Sens. Ted Cruz, Jim Inhofe and Roger Marshall, whose amendment preventing the dishonorable discharge of service members refusing the vaccine was included in the National Defense Authorization Act that’s now headed to President Joe Biden’s desk.
The lawsuit was filed in November by the First Liberty Institute, a Texas-based non-profit law firm that, according to its website, is “dedicated exclusively to protecting religious liberty for all Americans.”
The lawsuit states the mandate violates their First Amendment rights, as well as the Religious Freedom Restoration Act and the Administrative Procedure Act.
So far, none of the roughly 12,000 service members who have requested religious exemptions from the federal vaccine mandate has received one. The Air Force is processing 4,700 requests, while the Navy is working through about 2,700. The Marine Corps and Army is reviewing 3,100 and 1,700 requests, respectively.
The Marine Corps has already separated 103 troops for refusing the vaccine, and the Air Force trimmed 27 this month, as the deadlines to get the shots have passed.
The vast majority of service members have received their vaccination shots, with all of the services reporting numbers well above the national average.
The Army and Navy are each at about 98 percent, while the Air Force stands at 97.5 percent and the Marine Corps at 95 percent.
Approximately 72 percent of the U.S. population has been vaccinated.
ragamnyakabar.blogspot.com Glen Rose’s downtown — lined with boutiques, antique shops, bookstores and cafes in early 20th century building...
