Federal scientists have postponed plans to temporarily transfer some young Hawaiian monk seals from the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands to the main Hawaiian Islands as part of a population recovery program.
Scientists with the National Atmospheric and Oceanic Administration said they’ve decided to focus on other research and recovery aspects of the Hawaiian monk seal.
The announcement by the NOAA Fisheries Office of Protected Resources comes after some Hawaii residents, including fishermen, called for a delay in the transfer program.
"I’m relieved," said Roy Morioka, a Hawaii fisherman. "This is a small victory for us for a short while."
Some residents expressed concerns that bringing in more monk seals would affect their catch and the future of coastal developments in the main Hawaiian Islands.
Hawaiian monk seals, or Monachus schauinslandi, are listed as endangered by the federal government.
Some 950 Hawaiian monk seals live in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands, and 150 live in the main Hawaiian Islands.
Under the former proposal contained in a five-year research permit application by the Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center, up to 20 weaned pups and 30 juveniles from the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands would have been brought to the main Hawaiian Islands for three years to enable them to reach a critical stage of adulthood that would make survival more likely.
The former proposal called for them to be eventually transferred back to the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands.
Scientists have found the number of monk seals living in the main Hawaiian Islands increasing by 6.5 percent a year, in contrast to the annual decreases of 3.5 percent in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands.
Jeff Walters, NOAA Marine Mammal branch chief, said the causes of the decrease in monk seals in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands are complicated and partially stem from competition for food from sharks and large schools of ulua.
Walters said scientists haven’t abandoned the seal transfer program, but want to focus on building a network for reporting and tracking monk seals with help from the community.
"It’s a learning process," he said. "We’re still hopeful."
The Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center is seeking a five-year scientific research permit from NOAA. Its amended application can be viewed at www.nmfs.noaa. gov/pr/permits/monkseal16632.htm.
The comment period closes April 15. People may submit comments to the Chief, Permits and Conservation Division, via:
» Email: monkseal@noaa.gov (please include "File No. 16632" in the subject line).
» Mail: Office of Protected Resources, NMFS, 1315 East-West Highway, F/PR1, Room 13705, Silver Spring, MD 20910.
» Fax: 301-713-0376.
Information about the PEIS process and the Draft PEIS is available at www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/permits/ eis/hawaiianmonkseal.htm.
