April 25, 2023
Cause of
the Month:
Hawaiian Monk Seals
April 25, 2023
Cause of
the Month:
Hawaiian Monk Seals
Researchers estimate that there are only 1,570 Hawaiian monk seals left in the wild
Hawaiian monk seals have existed for over 10 million years. Now, they’re one of the world’s most endangered marine mammals. Native to Hawai’i, these adorable creatures can’t be found anywhere else. That’s why they’re the official state mammal. Their Hawaiian name, ilio-holo-i-ka-uaua (ee-lee-oh ho-low ee ka oo-ah-oo-ah) means “dog running in rough water,” but you’re more likely to see them hauled out at napping on the beach.
Hawaiian monk seals have a dark brown or black coat with large, round eyes that are perfectly adapted for their underwater lifestyle.
Excellent divers, these seals can hold their breath for up to 20 minutes and dive to depths of over 1,000 feet in search of their favorite food, such as fish, octopus, and crustaceans.
Hawaiian monk seals are known for their unique vocalizations, which include barks, growls, and even eerie songs. These vocalizations help them communicate with each other while hunting and resting. They also have a playful and curious nature and are often spotted playing in the surf, basking on sandy beaches, and even riding on the backs of sea turtles!
Researchers estimate that there are only 1,570 Hawaiian monk seals left in the wild
Hawaiian monk seals have existed for over 10 million years. Now, they’re one of the world’s most endangered marine mammals. Native to Hawai’i, these adorable creatures can’t be found anywhere else. That’s why they’re the official state mammal. Their Hawaiian name, ilio-holo-i-ka-uaua (ee-lee-oh ho-low ee ka oo-ah-oo-ah) means “dog running in rough water,” but you’re more likely to see them hauled out at napping on the beach.
Hawaiian monk seals have a dark brown or black coat with large, round eyes that are perfectly adapted for their underwater lifestyle.
Excellent divers, these seals can hold their breath for up to 20 minutes and dive to depths of over 1,000 feet in search of their favorite food, such as fish, octopus, and crustaceans.
Hawaiian monk seals are known for their unique vocalizations, which include barks, growls, and even eerie songs. These vocalizations help them communicate with each other while hunting and resting. They also have a playful and curious nature and are often spotted playing in the surf, basking on sandy beaches, and even riding on the backs of sea turtles!
Hawaiian monk seals face a variety of threats across the Hawaiian Archipelago and different islands can mean different threats.
Hawaiian monk seals face a variety of threats across the Hawaiian Archipelago and different islands can mean different threats.
The more remote Northwestern Hawaiian Islands (NWHI) are home to roughly 1,100 seals, more than 75% of the population. Primary threats in this area include entanglement in marine debris, shoreline habitat loss, food limitation, shark predation on seal pups and male seal aggression on females and pups.
On the Main Hawaiian Islands (MHI) where a smaller population of about 300 seals is found, major threats include fishery interactions, disease, and direct human-seal interactions.
The accumulation of marine debris is relentless in Hawaiian monk seal habitats thanks to its proximity to the Great Pacific Garbage Patch. The greatest threats come from lost, abandoned, and discarded fishing gear.
In fact, Hawaiian monk seals have one of the highest documented entanglement rates among seals and the number of seals found entangled remains largely the same each year.
Marine debris can become wrapped around the seals’ flippers or necks. Some animals drown when they become trapped under water. Others sustain serious injuries that can become infected and result in the loss of a flipper or their life.
The more remote Northwestern Hawaiian Islands (NWHI) are home to roughly 1,100 seals, more than 75% of the population. Primary threats in this area include entanglement in marine debris, shoreline habitat loss, food limitation, shark predation on seal pups and male seal aggression on females and pups.
On the Main Hawaiian Islands (MHI) where a smaller population of about 300 seals is found, major threats include fishery interactions, disease, and direct human-seal interactions.
The accumulation of marine debris is relentless in Hawaiian monk seal habitats thanks to its proximity to the Great Pacific Garbage Patch. The greatest threats come from lost, abandoned, and discarded fishing gear.
In fact, Hawaiian monk seals have one of the highest documented entanglement rates among seals and the number of seals found entangled remains largely the same each year.
Marine debris can become wrapped around the seals’ flippers or necks. Some animals drown when they become trapped under water. Others sustain serious injuries that can become infected and result in the loss of a flipper or their life.
Low-lying atolls are places where Hawaiian monk seals go to rest, mate, give birth, and care for their pups. But these habitats are being lost to sea level rise and erosion associated with climate change.
Some habitat loss has already been observed, including the disappearance of East Island and Whale-Skate Island in the French Frigate Shoals of the NWHI. Habitat loss is impacting their ability to reproduce and raise their young, which is critical to the conservation of this endangered species.
Climate change, overfishing, and normal cyclical changes impact the productivity of the ecosystem. These changes can lead to limited food intake by pups, which also contributes to population declines.
In fact, Hawaiian monk seal pups in the French Frigate Shoals have just a 1 in 5 chance of surviving to adulthood. In the NWHI, Hawaiian monk seal pups must also compete for food with large populations of apex predators like sharks.
A small but growing population of Hawaiian monk seals in the MHI use popular recreational beaches to “haul out,” or rest, and molt. Females are also pupping in these areas more frequently. Human disturbances can interfere with these natural events and pose harm to monk seals and their pups.
Intentional feeding and other direct interactions, like swimming with seal pups, is a growing concern among Hawaiian monk seal populations in the MHI. The seals become conditioned to the presence of humans, which can cause dangerous behavioral shifts.
As top predators, Hawaiian monk seals play a crucial role in the health of the marine ecosystem. Their foraging behaviors can help control populations of prey species and their presence can have cascading effects on the overall health and functioning of marine ecosystems.
Hawaiian monk seals are also culturally significant to the Hawaiian people, who have deep cultural ties and traditional knowledge associated with these animals. Protecting monk seals is therefore important for preserving the cultural heritage and identity of the Hawaiian people.
By safeguarding Hawaiian monk seals, we are helping to protect the health and wellbeing of the entire marine ecosystem, which in turn has benefits for human societies that depend on healthy oceans for their livelihoods, food security, and recreational activities.
We introduced our limited edition Hawaiian Monk Seal Bracelets to help raise awareness about threats facing this endangered species and the importance of protecting and restoring their populations. Do your part and order a bracelet today!
Low-lying atolls are places where Hawaiian monk seals go to rest, mate, give birth, and care for their pups. But these habitats are being lost to sea level rise and erosion associated with climate change.
Some habitat loss has already been observed, including the disappearance of East Island and Whale-Skate Island in the French Frigate Shoals of the NWHI. Habitat loss is impacting their ability to reproduce and raise their young, which is critical to the conservation of this endangered species.
Climate change, overfishing, and normal cyclical changes impact the productivity of the ecosystem. These changes can lead to limited food intake by pups, which also contributes to population declines.
In fact, Hawaiian monk seal pups in the French Frigate Shoals have just a 1 in 5 chance of surviving to adulthood. In the NWHI, Hawaiian monk seal pups must also compete for food with large populations of apex predators like sharks.
A small but growing population of Hawaiian monk seals in the MHI use popular recreational beaches to “haul out,” or rest, and molt. Females are also pupping in these areas more frequently. Human disturbances can interfere with these natural events and pose harm to monk seals and their pups.
Intentional feeding and other direct interactions, like swimming with seal pups, is a growing concern among Hawaiian monk seal populations in the MHI. The seals become conditioned to the presence of humans, which can cause dangerous behavioral shifts.
As top predators, Hawaiian monk seals play a crucial role in the health of the marine ecosystem. Their foraging behaviors can help control populations of prey species and their presence can have cascading effects on the overall health and functioning of marine ecosystems.
Hawaiian monk seals are also culturally significant to the Hawaiian people, who have deep cultural ties and traditional knowledge associated with these animals. Protecting monk seals is therefore important for preserving the cultural heritage and identity of the Hawaiian people.
By safeguarding Hawaiian monk seals, we are helping to protect the health and wellbeing of the entire marine ecosystem, which in turn has benefits for human societies that depend on healthy oceans for their livelihoods, food security, and recreational activities.
We introduced our limited edition Hawaiian Monk Seal Bracelets to help raise awareness about threats facing this endangered species and the importance of protecting and restoring their populations. Do your part and order a bracelet today!
Josh Liberman
Clean Ocean Warrior + Sr. Video Producer
Clean Ocean Warrior +
Sr. Video Producer
March 18, 2023
Hawaiian Monk Seal Bracelet — Limited Edition
By purchasing this limited edition bracelet, you will pull one pound of trash from the world’s oceans, rivers, and coastlines.
Hawaiian Monk Seal Bracelet — Limited Edition
By purchasing this limited edition bracelet, you will pull one pound of trash from the world’s oceans, rivers, and coastlines.
Stay up to date
For updates about our progress and more exciting ways to support the clean ocean movement
Follow us on InstagramStay up to date
For updates about our progress and more exciting ways to support the clean ocean movement
Follow us on Instagram