The Caribbean Monk Seal continually dealt with human predators. Last accurately sighted in 1952, it stayed on the Endangered Species list until 2008 when it removed because of extinction.
How did this happen? As reported in Science Daily (June 2008), Caribbean monk seals were first discovered during Columbus’s second voyage in 1494, when he named them "sea wolves" and killed eight of them for meat. They were killed for blubber which was manufactured into oil for lamps, cooking and lubricating boat bottoms. Their skins were used to make trunk linings, articles of clothing, straps and bags. Their chances of sustainability declined dramatically when commercial fisherman killed as many as 100 a night in the late 19th and early 20th century. Ultimately, they were overhunted into extinction.
Hawaiian Monk Seals Dwindling Numbers
With its appealing face, the Hawaiian Monk Seal was dubbed "cute marine mammal of the week" in a recent issue of Mother Jones. Yet the Hawaiian Monk Seal also faces the same human predators as the Caribbean Monk Seal.
The Hawaiian Monk Seal been in existence for 15 million years and referred to as a "living fossil". Native Hawaiians call it "dog that runs in rough waters". At about 7 feet in length and 500-600 pounds in weight, the Hawaiian Monk Seal is large yet amazingly limber in the water.
While multiple federal laws and regulations, including the Marine Mammal Act of 1972 and the Endangered Species Act of 1973, protect the Hawaiian Monk Seal, there are only about 1200 of them left. Most of them live in the Northwest Hawaiian Islands. There are only about 200 born annually. Without a sufficient number of breeding females, the birth rate will further decline and the possibility of extinction rises.
Hawaiian Monk Seals Face Danger
The Hawaiian Monk Seal faces danger resulting in death from boat propellers and entanglements in marine trash, predatory tiger sharks, and lack of prey to feed juvenile seals. Among its own species, aggression by other monk seals in breeding colonies where the number of males is greater than the number of available females often results in "mobbing" and death to weaker females and juveniles.
Human Remain Greatest Threat
Human disturbance is the most serious problem. The Pacific Islands Fishery Science Center, operating under the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), is zealously working to protect the Hawaiian Monk Seal and has issued these recommendations to educate tourists:
- Do not disturb, feed, pursue, encourage or otherwise approach seals. Seals are wild and may bite if approached.
- Seals need undisturbed rest on land—it is critical for their survival.
- Although seals may approach people, always move away to avoid interaction.
- Keep dogs away from seals
- Contact with humans or dogs may transmit diseases; an epidemic could cause the seals' extinction.
Hawaiian Monk Seal Can Survive Within Ecotourism
While government and scientists are promoting the recovery of the Hawaiian Monk Seals’ population, the nonscientific community plays a pivotal role in the recovery’s success. Nonprofits dedicated to the Hawaiian Monk Seals recovery, in collaboration with the tourist industry, may have the most substantial and positive impact.
Public awareness is vital. Hawaiian Monk Seals are a treasure among the Hawaiian Islands, where 26 percent of the gross state product is tourism. The self-interests of tourism can benefit the Hawaiian Monk Seal through ecotourism and destination marketing. Through accessible public awareness campaigns, protection of the Hawaiian Monk Seals becomes part of ecotourism. Without the aberration of making them an “attraction”, the seals’ existence, even unseen, is part of Hawaii’s island destination brand. Humans visiting the Islands will be educated and inculcated in preserving this aspect of their Island experience.
By combining public awareness with the goals of scientific programs and greater enforcement of legislated protection, recovery advocates for the Hawaiian Monk Seal may be optimistic about sustainable life for the seals on their ancient home, the Hawaiian Islands.
