Hawaiian Monk Seal

Description of the Hawaiian Monk Seal

The Hawaiian Monk Seal, or Monachus schauinslandi, is an endangered species native to the tropical waters of the northwest Hawaiian islands. Monk Seals received their unique names due to their cowl like folds and because they tend to travel alone or in very small groups. On average the Monk Seal will live to be about 25 years old, be 7.5ft in length, and weigh about 500 pounds. The Hawaiian Monk Seal's diet consists of fish, crustaceans, and cephalopods. Sadly the Monk Seal population has seen a 60% decline over the past 50 years and now there are less than 1,100 Hawaiian Monk Seals left.

Habitat

Unlike all other seals the Hawaiian Monk Seal is the only seal species to live year round in tropical waters. They spend about 2/3 of the their life at sea and they spend the rest of their time on sandy beaches and volcanic rock. Often they can be found on beaches during the day. The Hawaiian Monk Seal's critical habitat is located in the waters of the northwestern Hawaiian islands.

Listing

The Hawaiian Monk seal was listed as endangered on Novemeber 27, 1976 due to the following reasons. Since then the recovery plan for the Hawaiian monk seal was updated on August 22, 2007.

1. Low survival rate of juveniles

2. The seals get entangled in marine debris

3. Juveniles are being hunted by galapagos sharks

4. Human interaction in the form of fishing and disturbing mothers and pups

5. Breeding beaches are being eroded and they are losing food sources due to climate cycles

6. Due to the population being so small a disease could wipe them out

Recovery Plan

According to the updated recovery plan there are four main steps that have to be taken in order to delist the Hawaiian Monk seal. Step one involves increasing the survival rate of juvenile seals and especially juvenile females. To do this scientists are attempting to find out why the juvenile mortality rate is so high and what they can do about it. The second step in the recovery plan is to continue to maintain a field presence during the breeding season. The third step in the process to help reduce threats to the population such as reducing the Hawaiian Monk seals interaction with recreational fisheries and disturbances of mother and pup pairs. The final step in the recovery plan is to reduce the chance that the Hawaiian monk seal has to come in contact with disease. The goal of the recovery plan and all of its steps is to ensure the viability of the Hawaiian Monk seal and eventually remove them from the endangered species list all together.

Downlisting and Delisting Criteria

The first major step after the recovery plan has been accomplished is downlisting. Downlisting means that the species goes from being endangered to being threatened. For the Hawaiian Monk seal to be downlisted it has to meet a multitude of different criteria. First they have to have a total population of at least 2,900. Second they must have a population of at least 100 Hawaiian monk seals and at least 5 of the 6 sub-populations. Thirdly the population growth for each of the sub-populations has to not be negative. Finally to be considered to be delisted the Hawaiian Monk seal must live within the downlisting perimeters for a total of 20 years.

How Can You Help???

Currently one of the best ways that you can help is by supporting Save Monk Seals. They are a nonprofit organization focused on preserving the Hawaiian Monk seal. Also you can help by getting the word out. Tell your friends and family and even government officials about them and

just plain spread the word and get others to help in the preservation effort.

By: Robert Dyer

Works Cited

http://www.arkive.org/hawaiian-monk-seal/monachus-schauinslandi/image-G113222.html

http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/mammals/hawaiian-monk-seal/

http://ecos.fws.gov/docs/recovery_plan/hawaiianmonkseal.pdf

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

http://www.marine-conservation.org/what-we-do/program-areas/mpas/pacific-islands-conservation/hawaiian-monk-seals/

http://www.savemonkseals.ucsc.edu/