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Hawaiian Monk Seal

As their name suggests, Hawaiian monk seals are found only in the warm waters of the Hawaiian Islands. Once nearly driven to extinction by intense hunting in the 1800s, the species has been slowly recovering and today, an estimated 1,600 individuals remain.

 

Monk seal pups are born with a thick black coat, but they soon shed this newborn fur, transitioning to a dark gray or brown back and a lighter-colored belly. Once a year, they go through what’s known as a “catastrophic molt,” shedding the top layer of their skin and fur all at once. Seals that haven’t molted recently can even appear green from algae growing on their coat! 

These mostly solitary seals spend much of their time swimming, foraging, or resting on beaches. They are opportunistic hunters, feeding on a variety of prey such as fish, octopus, squid, and crustaceans, which they find along the seafloor. They are agile swimmers and capable divers, reaching depths of over 550 meters (1,800 feet) and holding their breath for up to 20 minutes.

 

 

Even as they recover from the impacts of seal hunting, Hawaiian monk seals face numerous new threats, contributing to them being classified as Endangered by the IUCN Red List. 

Fisheries 

These seals are some of the most frequently documented pinnipeds documented caught up in fishing gear. Other interactions with fisheries or fishers can lead to injury or death. 

Disease 

Toxoplasmosis — an infectious disease that can lead to behavioral change, debilitation, and death — is a major concern for Hawaiian monk seals. The disease is spread by free-roaming cats, which are the only known hosts. While relatively few seal deaths have been directly attributed to toxoplasmosis, many cases likely go undetected. With such a small population, the loss of even a single female can have long-term impacts on the species’ recovery.

Habitat Loss and Disturbance 

Storm erosion and sea level rise can destroy beach habitat these seals depend on. As global warming continues and sea levels continue to rise, this can lead to the loss of more and more pupping and resting habitat. Additionally, the sandy beaches that Hawaiian monk seals prefer are often frequented by people, which can disturb seals, especially mother and pup pairs.

 

 

The Hawaiian monk seal is protected under both the Endangered Species Act and the Marine Mammal Protected Act. As a species endemic to Hawaii, NOAA Fisheries is working to protect and recover this species in multiple ways, including addressing the issues of habitat loss and human-seal interactions. A strong, fully staffed, and fully funded NOAA is key to allowing these recovery plans to benefit these animals. Additionally, ensuring legislation like that protects endangered wildlife stays strong helps animals like the Hawaiian monk seal be on the path to recovery.

 

 

 

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