Hawaiian Monk Seal Monachus schauinslandi Hawaiian name Llio

Hawaiian Monk Seal (Monachus schauinslandi) Hawaiian name: "Llio holo I ka uaua" By: Tanya Taplin

Geography/Habitat • Only seal native to Hawaii • One of the most endangered marine mammals in the world, one of only two monk seal species • Spend 2/3 of their life at sea • Entire historical and current species range lies within the US. Majority live in six main breeding subpopulations in Northwestern Hawaiian Islands at: • Kure Atoll • Midway Islands • Pearl and Hermes Reef • Lisianksi Island • Laysan Island • French Frigate Shoals

Geography/Habitat cont. • Primarily benthic foragers, feeding on a variety of fish, cephalopods, and crustaceans • Main terrestrial habitat requirements include: haul-out areas for pupping, nursing, molting, and resting. These are primarily sandy beaches, but virtually all substrates are used at various islands. • Age/Weight/Reproduction • Females mature at age 5 -6 while mature age is unknown • Weight varies between 375 -450 pounds • 7 to 7. 5 feet in length • Gestation period is 10 -11 months • Birthing rates vary with range of 30 -70% of adult females birthing in a given year. • Most births occur late March and early April • Pups are approx. 35 pounds and 3 feet long • After birth, nursing occurs for 1 month, during which time the mother fasts and remains on land.

http: //www. fisheries. noaa. gov/pr/species/mammals/seals/hawaiian-monk-seal. html

Current Status/Threats • Hunted to the brink of extinction in the late 19 th century, Hawaiian monk seals have been declining ever since. • Population is currently declining at 4% annually • Estimated fewer than 1, 200 individuals remain • Biologists predict population will dip below 1, 000 in the next 3 -4 years. • Biggest threats include food limitations, disease outbreaks, low genetic diversity, human interactions as well as male aggression towards female • Listed as endangered species November 23, 1976 (41 FR 51611) under the Endangered Species Act • Under MMPA, Hawaiian monk seals are classified as strategic stocks and are considered depleted

Conservation/Protection Measures • National Marine Fisheries Service and partners are implementing a Recovery Plan www. nmfs. noaa. gov/pr/species/mammals/pinnipeds/hawaiianmonkseal. htm • Public education campaigns, including projects to reduce human interaction • Volunteer groups are being expanded to help rescue and rehabilitate and prevent undue stress • Direct efforts to reduce disentangled seals and remove debris • In order to preserve the future reproductive potential for recovery, one of the highest priorities being pursued by NMFS is the development of a captive care program to nutritionally supplement juvenile female seals. • Hawaiian monk seals have a recovery priority number of one

My opinion/suggestion • I have been fortunate to witness first hand some of the conservation and protection measures currently in place. There are various groups of people that volunteer at beaches everyday that assist in providing safety and security to monk seals. • Current measures in place are helping but more needs to be done to ensure future survival rates of juveniles and adults. • Suggestions for future protection/conservation • Provide additional protected areas away from threats • Implement additional programs and/or groups to raise awareness • Offer comprehensive rewards to individuals reporting unethical or harmful behavior • Provide additional sources of food and shelter

Picture of me with Hawaiian monk seal while my brother and I volunteered to remove debris from several beaches on west shore of Kauai in 2015.