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Craig T. Kojima / ckojima@staradvertiser.com
Benny looked around Friday before making his way to the water at White Plains Beach.
Federal fisheries authorities want to more than double the small population of endangered Hawaiian monk seals in the state’s main islands.
Authorities on Tuesday released a draft management plan for the endangered species, of which approximately 200 live in the main Hawaiian Islands.
Among the goals of the plan is to create a stable or growing population of more than 500 seals in the main Hawaiian Islands. There are approximately 1,100 Hawaiian monk seals total, with most of them living in the uninhabited Northwestern Hawaiian Islands.
Other goals of the plan include identifying sick or injured seals, education and outreach programs and better communication with fishermen.
Officials have opened the draft to a 30 day public review and comment period.
