• Listed as endangered
• Found in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands
• Feed on fish and invertebrates such as eels, octupuses, crustaceans
• Weigh on average over 400 pounds as adults, females weighing more than males
• Grows to about 7 feet in length
• Dives to depths of 250 to 300 feet to feed

NMFS Pscific Islands Fisheries Science Center: Marine Mammal Research Program

Goal of the program is to enahnce the recovery of the Hawaiian monk seal population.

 

Ocean Conservancy: Hawaiian Monk Seal

Started in 1972, organization uses science-based advocacy, research, and public education to empower people to speak and act for the oceans.

 

Seal Conservation Society

Non-profit organization started in 1996 to protect and conserve pinnipeds worldwide by monitoring and attempting to minimize threats to pinniped conservation and welfare; providing comprehensive information and advisory service on pinniped-related issues to media, groups, and individuals; maintaining close links with and exchangng information with animal welfare and conservation groups, rescue and rehabilitation centers, research groups, and government agencies; and developing and distributing educational materials on pinnpeds, their nature and threats they face.

 

Society for Marine Mammology

Organization dedicated to the conservation of marine mammals and their habitats worldwide, through research and education.

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Bailey, Alfred M. 1952. The Hawaiian Monk Seal.

(PIFSC Call No.: QL737.P6 B34)
(UHM Call No.: QL737.P6 B34)

Bonner, W. Nigel. 1990. The Natural History of Seals.

(PIFSC Call No.: QL737.P64 B66 1990)
(UHM Call No.: QL737.P64 B66 1990)

Bonner, W. Nigel. 1994. Seals and Sea Lions of the World.

(UHM Call No.: QL737.P64 B662 1994)

Ching, Patrick. 1994. The Hawaiian Monk Seal.

(PIFSC Call No.: QL737.P64 C48 1994)
(UHM Call No.: QL737.P64 C48 1994)

Gilmartin, William G. and Jaume Forcada. 1990.

Monk Seals. In Encyclopedia of Marine Mammals. eds., William Perrin, Bernd Wursig, and J.G.M. Thewissen, pp. 756-759.

(PIFSC Call No.: Ref QL701.2 .E53 2002)
(UHM Call No.: QL713.2 .E63 2002 Hamilton Main Reference)

 

 

Selected journals

Baker, Jason D. and Thea C. Johanos, 2004.

Abundance of the Hawaiian monk seal in the main Hawaiian Islands, Biological Conservation 116 (March): 103-110.

Becker, Brenda L., 1995.

The Hawaiian Monk Seal on Laysan Island, 1991.
(UHM Call No.: C 55.13/2:NMFS-SWFSC-214 Govt Docs)

Boland, Raymond C. and Mary J. Donahue, 2003.

Marine debris accumulation in the nearshore marine habitat of the endangered Hawaiian monk seal, Monachus schauinslandi 1999-2001, Marine Pollution Bulletin 46(November): 1385-1394.

 

Bowlby, C. Edward, 1991.

The Hawaiian Monk Seal, Monachus schauinslandi, at Kure Atoll, 1982-83.
(UHM Call No.: QL737.P64 H393 1991 Hamilton Hawaiian)

 

Craig, Mitchell P., 1994.

The Hawaiian Monk Seal at French Frigate Shoals, 1990-1991.
(UHM Call No.: C 55.13/2:NMFS-SWFSC-210 Govt Docs)

 

DeLong, Robert L., 1977.

Hawaiian Monk Seal (Monachus schauinslandi) habitat and population survey in the Northwestern (Leeward) Hawaiian Islands, April 1977.
(PIFSC Call No.: QL737.P64 D44 1977)
(UHM Call No.: QL737.P64 D44)

Eberhardt, L.L., 1994.

The Hawaiian monk seal on Midway Atoll, 1994.
(SWFSC Admin Report H94-08)
(UHM Call No.: QL737.P64 E24 1994 Hamilton Hawaiian)

Finn, Michele A., 1993.

The Hawaiian Monk Seal and green turtle on Pearl and Hermes Reef, 1990 and 1991.
(UHM Call No.: C55.13/2:NMFS-SWFSC-182 Govt Docs)

Goodman-Lowe, G.D., 1998.

Diet of the Hawaiian monk seal (Monachus schauinslandi) from the Northwestern Hawaiian islands during 1991 to 1994. Marine Biology 132(3): 535-546.
(PIFSC: Alphabetical with Marine)
(UHM Call No.: QL91.A1 M4)

Parrish, F.A., M.P. Craig, T.J. Ragen, G.J. Marshall, and B.M. Buhleier, 2000.

Identifying diurnal foraging habitat of endangered Hawaiian monk seals using a seal-mounted video camera. Marine Mammal Science 16 (April): 392-412.
(PIFSC: Alphabetical with Marine)
(UHM Call No.: QL713.2 .M33)

Ragen, Timothy J., 1993.

Status of the Hawaiian monk seal in 1992.
(SWFSC Admin Report H93-05)

(UHM Call No.: QL737.P64 R34 1993 Hamilton Hawaiian)

U.S. National Marine Fisheries Service, 1986.

Proposed designation of critical habitat for the Hawaiian monk seal in the northwestern Hawaiian Islands.
(PIFSC Call No.: QL737.P64 U65 1986)
(UHM Call No: C55.328:H31 final Govt Docs)

Westlake, R.L. and W.G. Gilmartin, 1990.

Hawaiian monk seal pupping locations in the northwestern Hawaiian Islands. Pacific Science 44(4): 366-383.
(PIFSC: Alphabetical with Pacific)
(UHM Call No: QH1 .P33)

Anonymous, 1988.

Monk seal pups get Honolulu head start. Marine Fisheries Review 50(3): 57-58.
(PIFSC: NMFS-USFWS Section with Marine)
(UHM Call No.: C55.310: Gov Docs)

Baker, J.D. and T.C. Johanos, 1990.

Effects of research handling on the endangered Hawaiian monk seal. Marine Mammal Science 18 (April): 500-512.
(PIFSC: Alphabetical with Marine)
(UHM Call No.: QL713.2 .M33)

Gerrodette, Tim, 1990.

Demographic consequences of changed pupping and hauling sites of the Hawaiian Monk Seal.
(UHM Call No.: REPRINT H067.07 Hamilton Hawaiian)

Gilmartin, William G., 1993.

Hawaiian Monk seal work plan: fiscal years 1994-96.
(SWFSC Admin Report H93-16)
(UHM Call No.: QL737.P64 G484 1993)

Gilmartin, William G., 1983.

Recovery plan for the Hawaiian monk seal, Monachus schauinslandi.
(PIFSC Call No.: QL737.P64 G48 1983)
(UHM Call No.: QL737.P64 G48 1983)

Gilmartin, William G., 1983.

Research and management plan for the Hawaiian monk seal at French Frigate Shoals, 1993-96.
(PIFSC Admin Report H93-08)
(UHM Call No.: QL737.P64 G485 1993 Hamilton Hawaiian)

Gilmartin, William G. and George A. Antonelis, 1998.

Recommended recovery actions for the Hawaiian monk seal population at Midway Island.
(UHM Call No.: QL737.P64 G487 1998)

Gilmartin, William G., T.C. Johanos and L.L. Eberhardt, 1993.

Survival rates for the Hawaiian monk seal (Monachus schauinslandi). Marine Mammal Science 9(4): 407-420.
(PIFSC: Alphabetical with Marine)
(UHM Call No.: QL7713.2 .M33)

Johanos, Thea C., 1988.

Effects of tagging on weaned Hawaiian Monk Seal pups.
(UHM No.: REPRINT H068.04 Hamilton Hawaiian)

Kretzmann, Maria Barbara, 1998.

Conservation genetics of the Hawaiian monk seal (Monachus schauinslandi).
(PIFSC Call No.: QL737.P64 K73 1998)
(UHM Call No.: QL737.P64 K73 1998b)

Marine Mammal Commission, National Marine Fisheries Service, Hawaii Division of Aquatic Resources.

Workshop on the Management of Hawaiian Monk Seals on Beaches in the Main Hawaiian Islands, 29-31 October 2002, Kauai Sheraton Resort, Koloa, Kauai, Hawaii : final report. Honolulu : 2003.
(UHM Call No.: QL737.P64 W67 2002)

Sprinkle, Gary, May Lee Harvey, and KITV, 1992.

Hawaii's wildlife heritage [videorecording]: the Hawaiian monk seal
(UHM Call No.: VIDEOTAPE 7921 Sinclair AV Center)

Twiss, Jr., John R. and Randall R. Reeves (eds.)

Conservation and Management of Marine Mammals.

Washington, DC : Smithsonian Institution Press, c1999.

(UHM Call No.: QL713.2 .C65 1999)

Antonelis, G.A., J.D. Baker, and J.J. Polovina, 2003.

Improved body condition of weaned Hawaiian monk seal pups associated with El Nino events: Potential benefits to an endangered species.
Marine Mammal Science 19 (July): 590-598.
(PIFSC: Alphabetical with Marine)
(UHM Call No.: QL713.2 .M33)

Atkinson, S., T.J. Ragen, W.G. Gilmartin, B.L. Bechker and T.C. Johanos, 1998.

Use of a GnRH Agonist to Suppress Testosterone in Wild Male Hawaiian Monk Seals (Monachus schauinslandi). General and Comparative Endocrinology 112 (November): 178-182.

Boness, D.J., 1990.

Fostering behavior in Hawaiian monk seals: Is there a reproductive cost? Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology 27 (2): 113-122.
(UHM Call No.: QL750 .B533)

Boness, D.J., M.P. Craig, L. Honigman and S. Austin, 1998.

Fostering behavior and the effect of female density in Hawaiian monk seals, Monachus schauinslandi. Journal of Mammalogy 79 (August): 1060-1069.
(PIFSC: Alphabetical with Journal of Mammalogy)
(UHM Call No.: QL700 .J6)

Craig, M.P. and T.J. Ragen, 1999.

Body size, survival, and decline of juvenile Hawaiian monk seals, Monachus schauinslandi. Marine Mammal Science 15 (July): 786-809.
(PIFSC: Alphabetical with Marine)
(UHM Call No.: QL713.2 .M33)

Dunn, Ronald E., 1990.

Bioenergetics of the Hawaiian monk seal (Monachus schauinslandi).
(PIFSC Call No.: QL737.P64 D86 1990)
(UHM Call No.: AC1 .H3 No. 2464 Hamilton Hawaiian)

Eliason, J.J., T.C. Johanos and M.A. Webber, 1990.

Parturition in the Hawaiian monk seal (Monachus schauinslandi). Marine Mammal Science 6(2): 146-151.
(PIFSC: Alphabetical with Marine)
(UHM Call No.: QL713.2 .M33)

Finn, Michele A., 1994.

Cranial morphometrics of the Hawaiian monk seal (Monachus schauinslandi).
(UHM Call No.: Q111 .H3 no. 2986 Hamilton Hawaiian)

Goodman-Lowe, G.D., J.R. Carpenter and S. Atkinson, 1999.

Assimilation efficiency of prey in the Hawaiian monk seal (Monachus schauinslandi). Canadian Journal of Zoology 77 (April): 653-660.
(UHM Call No.: QL1 .C16)

Goodman-Lowe, G.D., J.R. Carpenter, S. Atkinson and H. Ako, 2000.

Corrigendum to "Nutrient, fatty acid, amino acid and mineral analysis of natural prey of the Hawaiian monk seal, Monachus schauinslandi": [Comp.Biochem. Physiol. 124 A (1999) 137-146]. Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology - Part A: Molecular & Integrative Physiology 125 (March): 415-416.

Goodman-Lowe, G.D., S. Atkinson and J.R. Carpenter, 2001.

Gross Anatomy of the Digestive Tract of the Hawaiian Monk Seal, Monachus schauinslandi. Pacific Science 55 (October): 399-407.

Goodman-Lowe, G.D., S. Atkinson and J.R. Carpenter, 1997.

Initial defecation time and rate of passage of digesta in adult Hawaiian monk seals, Monachus schauinslandi. Canadian Journal of Zoology 75 (March): 433-438.

Goodman-Lowe, G.D., J.R. Carpenter, S. Atkinson and H. Ako, 1999.

Nutrient, fatty acid, amino acid and mineral analysis of natural prey of the Hawaiian monk seal, Monachus schauinslandi. Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology - Part A: Molecular & Integrative Physiology 123 (June): 137-146.

Job, D.A., D.J. Boness, and J.M. Francis, 1995.

Individual variation in nursing vocalizations of Hawaiian monk seal pups, Monachus schauinslandi (Phocidae, Pinnipedia), and lack of maternal recognition. Canadian Journal of Zoology 73(5): 975-983.
(UHM Call No.: QL1 .C16)

Johanos, T.C., B.L. Becker and T.J. Ragen, 1994.

Annual reproductive cycle of the female Hawaiian monk seal (Monachus schauinslandi). Marine Mammal Science 10(1): 13-30.
(PIFSC: Alphabetical with Marine)
(UHM Call No.: QL713.2 .M33)

Kobayashi, Donald R. and Kurt E. Kawamoto, 1995.

Evaluation of shark, dolphin, and monk seal interactions with Northwestern Hawaiian Island bottomfishing activity: a comparison of two time periods and an estimate of economic impacts. Fisheries Research 23 (May): 11-22.

Kridler, E., D.L. Olsen and G.C. Whittow, 1971.

Body temperature of the Hawaiian monk seal. Journal of Mammalogy 52(2): 476.
(UHM Call No.: QL700 .J6)

Lowe, Gwen D., 1998.

The diet and digestive physiology of the Hawaiian monk seal, Monachus schauinslandi.
(PIFSC Library Call No.: QL737.P64 L69 1998)
(UHM Call No.: AC1 .H3 no.3737 Hamilton Hawaiian)

Ohata, C.A., D.T. Matsuura, G.C. Whittow and S.W. Tinker, 1972.

Diurnal rhythm of body temperature in the Hawaiian monk seal (Monachus schauinslandi). Pacific Science 26(1): 117-120.
(PIFSC: alphabetical with Pacific)
(UHM Call No.: QH1 .P33)

Parrish, F.A., K. Abernathy, G.J. Marshall and B.M. Buhleier, 2002.

Hawaiian monk seals (Monachus schauinslandi) foraging in deep-water coral beds. Marine Mammal Science 18 (January): 244-258.
(UHM Call No.: QL713.2 .M33)

Pietraszek, Jean, 1992.

Determination of the estrous cycle in the Hawaiian monk seal, Monachus schauinslandi.
(UHM Call No.: Q111 .H3 no.2770)

Pietraszek, Jean and S. Atkinson, 1994.

Concentrations of estrone sulfate and progesterone in plasma and saliva, vaginal cytology, and bioelectric impedance during the estrous cycle of the Hawaiian monk seal (Monachus schauinslandi). Marine Mammal Science 10(4): 430-441.
(PIFSC: Alphabetical with Marine)
(UHM Call No.: QL713.2 .M33)

Sisak, M.M., 1998.

Animal-borne GPS and the deployment of a GPS based archiving datalogger on Hawaiian monk seal (Monachus schauinslandi). Marine Technology Society Journal 32(1): 30-36.
(UHM Call No.: GC1 .J63)

Starfield, A.M., J.D. Roth, and K. Ralls, 1995.

"Mobbing" in Hawaiian monk seals (Monachus schauinslandi): The value of simulation modeling in the absence of apparently crucial data. Conservation Biology 9(1): 166-174.
(UHM Call No.: QH75.A1 C665)

Theodorou, Jenny, 1996.

Noninvasive monitoring of testosterone concentrations and its relation to agonistic behavior in captive Hawaiian monk seals, Monachus schauinslandi.
(UHM Call No.: Q111 .H3 no.3149)

Whittow, G.C., 1978.

Thermoregulatory behavior of the Hawaiian monk seal (Monachus schauinslandi). Pacific Science 32(1): 47-60.
(PIFSC: Alphabetical with Pacific)
(UHM Call No.: QH1 .P33)

Whittow, G.C., J. Szekerczes, J., Kridler, E. and D.L. Olsen, 1975.

Skin structure of the Hawaiian Monk Seal (Monachus schauinslandi). Pacific Science 29(2): 153-157.
(PIFSC: alphabetical with Pacific)
(UHM Call No.: QH1 .P33)

Hawaiian Monk Seal Diseases/Injuries

Aguirre, A. Alonso, John S. Reif, and George A. Antonelis. 2000.

Health Assessment and Disease Status Studies of the Hawaiian Monk Seal (Monachus schauinslandi).
(UHM Call No.: QL737 .P64 A39 2000)

Alcorn, D.J. and A.K.H. Kam, 1986.

Fatal shark attack on a Hawaiian monk seal (Monachus schauinslandi). Marine Mammal Science 2(4): 313-315.
(PIFSC: Alphabetical with Marine)
(UHM Call No.: QL713.2 .M33)

Banish, L.D. and W.G. Gilmartin, 1988.

Hematology and serum chemistry of the young Hawaiian monk seal (Monachus schauinslandi). Journal of Wildlife Diseases 24(2): 225-230.
(PIFSC: Alphabetical with Journal of Wildlife)
(UHM Call No.: SF997 .W55)

Banish, L.D. and W.G. Gilmartin, 1992.

Pathological findings in the Hawaiian monk seal. Journal of Wildlife Diseases 28(3): 428-434.
(PIFSC: Alphabetical with Journal of Wildlife)
(UHM Call No.: SF997 .W55)

Bertilsson-Friedman, Petra Anna-Karin, 2002.

Shark inflicted injuries to the endangered Hawaiian monk seal, Monachus schauinslandi.
(PIFSC Call No.: QL737.P64 B4 2002)

Daily, M.D., R.V. Santagelo and W.G. Gilmartin, 1988.

A coprological survey of helminth parasites of the Hawaiian monk seal from the northwestern Hawaiian Islands. Marine Mammal Science 4(2): 125-131.
(PIFSC: Alphabetical with Marine)
(UHM Call No.: QL713.2 .M33)

Donohue, Mary J. Raymond C. Boland, Carolyn M. Sramek and George A. Antonelis, 2001.

Derelict fishing Gear in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands: Diving Surveys and Debris Removal in 1999 Confirm Threat to Coral Reef Ecosystems, Marine Pollution Bulletin 42 (December): 1301-1312.

Furman, D.P. and M.D. Dailey, 1980.

The genus Halarachne (Acari: Halarachnidae), with the description of a species from the Hawaiian Monk Seal. Journal of Medical Entomology 17 (4): 352-359.
(UHM Call No.: RA639.5 .J6)

Hiruki, Lisa Machiko, 1991.

The significance of wounding to the survival of the Hawaiian monk seal, Monachus schauinslandi.
(PIFSC Call No.: QL737.P64 H57 1991)
(UHM Call No.: QL737.P64 H57 1991a)

Lu, Y., A.A. Aguirre, C. Hamm, Y. Wang, Q. Yu, P.C. Loh and R. Yanagihara, 2000.

Establishment, cryopreservation, and growth of 11 cell lines prepared from a juvenile Hawaiian monk seal, Monachus schauinslandi. Methods in Cell Science 22 (2-3): 115-124.
(UHM Call No.: QH585 .T53a)

Lu, Yuanan, A.A. Aguirre, R.C. Braun and P.C. Loh, 1998.

Establishment of monk seal cell lines. In Vitro Cellular & Developmental Biology - Animal 34 (May): 367-369.
(UHM Call No.: QH585 .I52)

Takei, G.H. and G.H. Leong, 1981.

Macro-analytical methods used to analyze tissues of the Hawaiian monk seal, Monachus schauinslandi, for organochlorine pesticides, polychlorbiphenyls, and pentachlorophenol. Bulletin of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology 27(4): 489-498.
(UHM Call No.: RA1270.P4 B85)

Winchell, Jane M., 1990.

Field manual for phocid necropsies (specifically Monachus schauinslandi).
(UHM Call No.: QL737 .P64 W56 1990)

Yantis, D.; R. Moeller; R. Braun; C.H. Gardiner; A. Aguirre; J.P. Dubey

Hepatitus Associated with a Sarcocystis Canis-like Protozoan in a Hawaiian Monk Seal (Monachus schauinslandi). Journal of Parasitology 89(6) 1991: 1258-1260.

Population

Gerrodette, Tim and Fred R. Frizelle, III, 1988.

Checking procedures for Hawaiian monk seal census data.
(UHM Call No.: SZ 96H01 .702)

Gilmartin, William G., 1988.

The Hawaiian Monk Seal : population status and current research activities.
(UHM Call No.: QL737.P64 G482 1988 Hamilton Hawaiian)

Gilmartin, William G. and L.L. Eberhardt, 1995.

Status of the Hawaiian monk seal (Monachus schauinslandi) population. Canadian Journal of Zoology 73(6): 1185-1190.
(UHM Call No.: QL1 .C16)

Harting, Albert Lively, Jr., 2002.

Stochastic simulation model for the Hawaiian monk seal.
(PIFSC Call No.: QL737.P64 H3 2002)
(UHM Call No.: QL737.P64 H37 2002 Hamilton Hawaiian)

Henderson, J.R. and M.R. Finnegan, 1990.

Population monitoring of the Hawaiian monk seal, Mnachus schauinslandi, and captive maintenance project at Kure Atoll, 1988.
(UHM Call No.: C 55.13/2:NMFS-SWFSC-172 Govt Docs)

Hiruki, Lisa M. and Timothy J. Ragen, 1992

A compilation of historical monk seal, Monachus schauinslandi, counts.
(PIFSC Call No.: NOAA-TM-NMFS-SWFSC no. 172)
(UHM Call No.: C 55.13/2:NMFS-SWFSC-172 Govt Docs)

Kretzmann, M.B., N.J. Gemmell, and A. Meyer, 2001.

Microsatellite Analysis of Population Structure in the Endangered Hawaiian Monk Seal. Conservation Biology 15 (April): 457-466.
(UHM Call No.: QH75.A1 C665)

Ragen, T.J., 1999.

Human Activities Affecting the Population Trends of the Hawaiian Monk Seal. Life in the Slow Lane: Ecology and Conservation of Long-Lived Marine Animals 23: 183-194.
(UHM Call No.: QL121 .L53 1999)

Schmelzer, Isabelle, 2001.

A dynamic seascape and a disappearing seal : a biogeographical analysis of the population ecology of the Hawaiian monk seal.
(UHM Call No.: QL737.P64 S36 2001a)

Schmelzer, Isabelle, 2000.

Seals and seascapes: covariation in Hawaiian monk seal subpopulations and the oceanic landscape of the Hawaiian Archipelago. Journal of Biogeography 27 (July): 901-914.
(UHM Call No.: QH84 .J68)

Van Toorenburg, R.A., W.G. Gilmartin and J.R. Henderson, 1993.

Composition of the Hawaiian monk seal population at Kure Atoll, 1990. Pacific Science 47 (3): 211-214.
(PIFSC: Alphabetical with Pacific)
(UHM Call No.: QH1 .P33)

Miscellanea

Balazs, George H. and G. Causey Whittow, 1979.

Revised bibliography of the Hawaiian monk seal : Monachus schauinslandi Matschie 1905.
(PIFSC Call No.: GC1 .H3839 no.79-03)

Balcomb, Kenneth C., 1987.

The whales of Hawaii, including all species of marine mammals in Hawaiian and adjacent water.
(PIFSC Call No.: QL737.C4 B236 1987)
(UHM Call No.: QL737.C4 B236 1987)

Benson, Bruce, 1976.

Beyond Honolulu a rare visit to Hawaii's Leeward Islands.
(UHM Call No.: VIDEOTAPE 6338 Sinclair AV Center)

NMFS Scientific Publications Office (SPO)

Includes the quarterly journals, Fishery Bulletin and Marine Fisheries Review, and the NOAA Professional Paper NMFS (PP) series (formerly NOAA Technical Report series). Also povides technical and administrative editorial support to NMFS headquarters offices, which includes coordinating publication of several series of the NOAA Technical Memoranda NMFS, including Our Living Oceans, and other special publications.