The Hawaiian Monk Seal

The Hawaiian Monk Seal (Monachus Schauinslandi)

By Ramy Joseph

Source: The National Geographic

The Hawaiian monk seal is one of the rarest marine mammals in the world. Part of the "true seal" family (Phocidae), they are one of only two remaining monk seal species. With silvery-grey backs and a fairer, creamy pigmentation on their underside, the Hawaiian monk seal weighs between 375 and 470 pounds and measure up to 7.5 feet in length. Their life expectancy ranges from twenty-five to thirty years, and they typically eat fish, cephalods and crustaceans. Often seen resting on beaches, monk seals breed and haul- out on corals, sand, and volcanic rock (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration).

Facts about the Hawaiian monk seal

 ·      The species’ name derived from the fact that the excess folds of skin around the neck causes them to look like they’re wearing a monk’s robe

·      Hawaiian monk seals can hold their breath for up to 20 minutes under water

·      Unlike other seal species, female Hawaiian monk seals are usually slightly larger than males (Marinebio)

·      The greatest threats to Hawaiian monk seals include food limitation, disease, entanglement and shark bites

·      More than 20% of the remaining population of Hawaiian monk seals are alive today as a direct result of conservation effects (Save Monk Seals)

Geographic and Population Changes

Source: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administraion

The Hawaiian monk seal has the distinction of being the only endangered marine mammal whose entire species range- both historical and current- lies within the United States. The majority of their populations now lie in the North Western Hawaiian islands. They spend nearly two-thirds of their time in marine habitat, but the food availability within such habitats is a limiting factor to population growth in the NWHI. The Hawaiian monk seal is headed towards extinction if urgent action is not taken. For the past twenty years, the Hawaiian Monk Seal species has experienced a population decline, and approximately 1,200 monk seals remain. According to modeling predictions, within the next five years the species population will fall below 1000 animals (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service).

Source: Learners Online

 Listed under the Endangered Species Act

On November 23, 1976, the Hawaiian monk seal was listed as an endangered species under the Endangered Species Act and remains listed as endangered. Populations are so small that there is great concern about long-term maintenance of genetic diversity. The reasons for the Hawaiian monk seal being listed under the Endangered Species Act are due to a high magnitude of threats that include low survival of juveniles due to starvation as a result of food limitation, recreational fishery interactions causing mother-pup disturbances on popular beaches in the main Hawaiian islands, seal mortality due to entanglement from marine debris, predation by Galapagos sharks, and disease due to small population size and limited geographic range. Long- line fishing, in the past, gave problems for the Hawaiian monk seal when several seals were found with long-line hooks embedded in their skin and mouths.

Recovery Plan

               The goal of recovery is to “assure the long-term viability of the Hawaiian monk seal in the wild, allowing initially for re classification to threatened status and, ultimately, removal from the List of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife” (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service).  Research has been improved to better understand the factors that cause poor juvenile survival. Procedures, including data collection and analyses, allow for evaluation to ensure that scientific research and observation of the seal will not cause significant adverse impacts on the species’ survival, behavior or population growth. With regards to disease, contingency plans are in place in case of a disease outbreak or an introduction that could potentially occur. The causes of anthropogenic threats to the species have been clearly identified and are well- enough understood to be controlled, and any newly identified threats are controlled adequately before down listing. The issues that long-lines presented was successful addressed by the establishment of a protected species management zone that bans long- line finishing within 50 nautical miles of the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands. 

The Hawaiian monk seal will be down listed to “threatened” if the following criteria are met:

1.     Cumulative numbers exceed 2,900 total individuals in the NWHI

2.     At least 5 of the 6 main sub-populations in the NWHI are above 100 individuals and the MHI population exceeds 500

3.     Survivorship of females in each subpopulation in the NWHI and in the MHI is high enough that, with the birth rate in each subpopulation, the population growth rate for each subpopulation is not negative (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service)

Personal Action

Source: National Geographic

               Although I may not be able to directly help save the Hawaiian monk seals from certain, prevalent issues such as disease and food limitation, I am going to make an effort towards picking up trash wherever I see it around to contribute towards reducing debris that causes entanglement. I will also make others aware of the threats towards this species, and encourage them to help reduce human- created waste. If I see any seals on the beach, I will give them space. If I encounter a stranded or entangled Hawaiian monk seals, I will contact NOAA Fisheries Marine Mammal Hotline. If I ever go fishing, I will never feed the seals or pollute the water, and will use a barbless circle hook.

Works Cited

Learners Online. "The Hawaiian Monk Seal: Dog that Runs in Rough Water". Learners Online Website: http://www.learnersonline.com (Accessed November 11, 2015).

MarineBio. “Hawaiian Monk Seals, Monachus schauinslandi”. MarineBio website: http://marinebio.org/species.asp?id=303 (Accessed November 11, 2015).

              

  National Geographic. “Hawaiian Monk Seal”. National Geographic website: http://animals.nationalgeographic.com (Accessed November 15, 2015).

     National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. “Hawaiian Monk Seal (Neomonachus schauinslandi). NOAA website: http://www.pifsc.noaa.gov (Accessed November 22, 2015).

University of California, Santa Cruz. “Science to Save Monk Seals”.  Save Monk Seals website: http://www.savemonkseals.ucsc.edu/fast-facts-about-monk-seals (Accessed November 21, 2015).

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. “Recovery Plan for the Hawaiian Monk Seal (Monachus schauinslandi)”.  2007.