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Two new pups discovered during monk seal count | The Honolulu Advertiser | Hawaii's Newspaper

Updated at 6:10 p.m., Saturday, May 5, 2007

Two new pups discovered during monk seal count

Advertiser Staff

Led by NOAA Fisheries Pacific Islands Regional Office, more than 100 volunteers from all islands participated recently in the first semi-annual Monk Seal Count. The objective of the count was to raise public awareness about the critically endangered Hawaiian monk seal and especially about the importance of pup survival.

Of the 76 Hawaiian monk seals documented by NOAA Fisheries in the main Hawaiian Islands, 37 were sighted by volunteers this past weekend. Moloka'i and Kaua'i reported the most sightings followed by O'ahu, Kaho'olawe and Maui. The count included sightings of two pups previously unknown to NOAA Fisheries. May through November is "pupping season" for Hawaiian monk seals. With the two new pups sighted the count for this year is already up to 8; resulting in a pace well ahead of the 12 sighted all of last season last season.

NOAA Fisheries would like to remind the public of the following viewing guidelines if a monk seal is encountered.

  • Keep pets on a leash at all times in presence of the seals. Dogs and seals can pass diseases between them upon contact. Seals have been known to bite dogs.

  • Keep a distance of at least 150 feet from monk seals and limit observation time to an hour.

  • Never attempt to swim with or touch monk seals. They are wild animals and have been known to get aggressive and bite humans.

  • Hawaiian monk seals are protected by the Marine Mammal Protection Act, the Endangered Species Act, and Hawaii state law.

  • It is illegal to harass, hunt, capture or kill, or attempt to harass, hunt, capture or kill Hawaiian monk seals or any other marine mammals.

    NOAA Fisheries needs help to collect information that can bolster the conservation and management of the population.

  • If you see a Hawaiian monk seal please call the sightings hotline: 220-7802

  • If you see a mother and pup or a seal in trouble call: (888) 256-9840

  • If you would like to volunteer please visit www.fpir.noaa.gov for more information.

    "The count was a great example of community ownership", said David Schofield, Marine Mammal Response Coordinator. "It's going to take all of us working together to ensure the survival of the critically endangered Hawaiian monk seals."

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