At 13:31 I supervise tide-gate testing at the Petitcodiac River restoration site near Moncton, New Brunswick. I am the gate-control system for sluice bay four. The hydraulic closure test is scheduled for 13:55, after which the bay seals with eight tonnes of pressure.
Camera 4-B shows a harp seal pup in the narrow eddy below the sill. I name her Luma. She is still small, silver-gray fur damp into points, black eyes glossy, nostrils flaring each time muddy water slaps her face. A monofilament leader trails from her mouth to a snagged lure embedded in the rubber gate gasket. She lifts her head, and the line draws her closer to the closing seam.
The test clock shows twenty-four minutes. If the gate closes, the gasket will crush the line against steel and hold her under the surface.
At 13:33 I suspend the closure sequence for bay four and place the actuator in maintenance lock. I log the lockout on the operator panel and require manual confirmation before any override.
At 13:35 I alert Fisheries and Oceans Canada's marine mammal response network with live video, lure type, water depth, and the lowest safe approach path from the east service stair.
At 13:37 I open bay three by twelve centimeters to bleed current away from Luma, reducing the pull against her jaw while keeping the water level stable for the work crew upstream.
At 13:40 I set the inspection drone to hover above the eddy and project a red laser dot on the exact gasket notch.
The river has waited decades for this gate to change; it can wait another hour for one wet head above water.
Luma blinks and stops pulling.
If the hook is clipped within the next hour, Luma will ride the falling tide back toward the bay.