Hawaiian Monk Seal Research
The Hawaiian Monk Seal Research Program (HMSRP) works to enhance the recovery of the endangered 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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November 3, 2017
Why are the numbers of Hawaiian monk seals decreasing in certain locations while they stay stable in others? What drives their population trends? Is it changes in plankton abundance, prey availability, predators, or something else? Using an ecosystem model, NOAA scientists at the Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center explored the importance of many factors that influence growth and mortality of monk seals at two different locations, Laysan Island and French Frigate Shoals, in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands. More... -
August 11, 2017
The NOAA Ship Hiʻialakai is departing on a 19-day research expedition in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands (NWHI) in support of Hawaiian monk seal and green sea turtle research and recovery activities. More... -
May 12, 2017
The NOAA Ship Oscar Elton Sette is departing on a 24-day research expedition in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands (NWHI) to support research and recovery efforts for the endangered Hawaiian monk seal. More... -
January 24, 2017
According to the Chinese Zodiac, 2017 is the year of the Rooster. But for the NOAA Fisheries Pacific Islands, this year belongs to the Hawaiian monk seal, a NOAA Fisheries Species in the Spotlight. More... -
August 31, 2016
The 3rd annual NOAA Fisheries 2016 Science Camp was hosted at the NOAA Daniel K. Inouye Regional Center on Ford Island during the 3rd week in July with nearly 40 participants — all students who had just completed 7th grade. Staff from the Hawaiian Monk Seal Research Program conducted the ever-popular monk seal module, "Hawaiian Monk Seal Crittercam: A Seal-Eyed View". More... -
August 3, 2016
The NOAA Ship Oscar Elton Sette departs today on a 24-day research expedition in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands (NWHI) to conduct research and recovery efforts for the endangered Hawaiian monk seal. More...
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June 14, 2016
The NOAA ship R/V Hiʻialakai departed Honolulu on April 17th for a 27-day multi-project research cruise in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands (NWHI). More... -
June 3, 2016
Between February to May, 12 wild Hawaiian monk seals on Oʻahu received their morbillivirus vaccinations; 9 of these (so far) have received their booster vaccination after 3 weeks of the initial dosing. More...
Recent Staff Publications
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November 7, 2017Comparative application of trophic ecosystem models to evaluate drivers of endangered Hawaiian monk seal populationsWeijerman M, Robinson S, Parrish F, Polovina J, Littnan C
[2017] Marine Ecology Progress Series. 582:215-229. doi:10.3354/meps12320 -
November 3, 2017Hawaiian monk seal use of Sand Island, Midway Atoll, 2012-2016Johanos T
[2017] Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center, PIFSC Internal Report, IR-17-021, 3 p -
September 22, 2017Documented sightings of Hawaiian monk seals within Joint Base Pearl Harbor Hickam installation on the island of Oahu for the year 2016Mercer T
[2017] Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center, PIFSC Internal Report, IR-17-020, 4 p -
August 30, 2017Hawaiian monk seal use of Ulehawa beach, OahuMercer T
[2017] Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center, PIFSC Internal Report, IR-17-018, 3 p -
July 26, 2017Estimating population size for Hawaiian monk seals using haulout dataHarting A, Baker JD, Johanos TC
[2017] Journal of Wildlife Management. 81:1202-1209. doi:10.1002/jwmg.21303. -
July 26, 2017Oahu monk seal sightings 2007-2016Mercer T
[2017] Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center, PIFSC Internal Report, IR-17-016, 602 p
