Hawaiian Monk Seal Research
The Hawaiian Monk Seal Research Program (HMSRP) works to enhance the recovery of the Hawaiian monk seal by studying their biology, ecology and natural history. The HMSRP monitors and assesses the six main monk seal reproductive subpopulations in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands (NWHI) as well as the increasing subpopulation in the main Hawaiian Islands (MHI). In addition, the HMSRP investigates threats to Hawaiian monk seal survival and works to mitigate factors impeding the species recovery. More...
News and Highlights
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January 10, 2013
On November 17, 2012, a hooked adult female Hawaiian monk seal named R5AY was rescued by a team of scientists from the Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center Hawaiian Monk Seal Research Program with able assistance from the NOAA Fisheries Pacific Islands Regional Office, Waikiki Aquarium, Honolulu Zoo, Hawaiian Monk Seal Response Team Oahu (HMSRTO), The Marine Mammal Center, and local veterinary specialists. More... -
January 10, 2013
To learn more about the underwater behavior of monk seals in the main Hawaiian Islands, scientists are outfitting seals with video cameras. More... -
November 26, 2012
On August 5th, PIFSC monk seal scientists returned from field camps in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands (NWHI) on board the NOAA Ship Oscar Elton Sette. In a shorter-than usual 7-week field season, the researchers completed a variety of monitoring protocols to bolster knowledge of the endangered Hawaiian monk seal population in the NWHI. More... -
September 7, 2012
In efforts to increase the numbers of breeding females in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands, two recently weaned female pups were collected from French Frigate Shoals (FFS) and transported 360 miles to neighboring Laysan Island in July 2012. Weaned pups at FFS have less than a 1 in 5 chance of surviving to adulthood, while pup survival is 3 times higher at Laysan Island. More...
Recent Staff Publications
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January 8, 2013Identification of ciguatoxins in Hawaiian monk seals Monochus schauinslandi from the Northwestern and main Hawaiian IslandsBottein M-Y D, Kashinsky L, Wang Z, Littnan C, Ramsdell JS
[2011] Environmental Science and Technology 45: 5403-5409. DOI: 10.1021/es2002887 -
November 26, 2012Relative influence of climate variability and direct anthropogenic impact on a sub-tropical Pacific top predator, the Hawaiian monk sealBaker JD, Howell EA, Polovina JJ
[2012] Marine Ecology Progress Series 469: 175-189. DOI: 10.3354/meps09987 -
September 26, 2012Non-lethal efforts to deter shark predation of Hawaiian monk seal pupsGobush KS, Farry SC
[2012] Aquatic Conservation: Marine and Freshwater Ecosystems 22: 751-761. DOI: 10.1002/aqc.2272 -
August 16, 2012Persistent organic pollutants in the endangered Hawaiian monk seal (Monachus schauinslandi) from the main Hawaiian IslandsLopez J, Boyd D, Ylitalo GM, Littnan C, Pearce R
[2012] Marine Pollution Bulletin. DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2012.07.012 -
April 2, 2012Effectiveness of an antihelminthic treatment in improving the body condition and survival of Hawaiian monk sealsGobush KS, Baker JD, Gulland FMD
[2011] Endangered Species Research 15: 29-37. DOI: 10.3354/esr00364 -
January 1, 2012Relative influence of climate variability and direct anthropogenic impact on a sub-tropical Pacific top predator, the Hawaiian monk sealBaker JD, Howell EA, Polovina JJ
[2012] Marine Ecology Progress Series. DOI: 10.3354/meps09987
