About This Project
Research Question: Is the Northern Hawaiian Monk Seal population foraging further offshore than the Main Hawaiian Island populations?
Ask the Scientists
Join The DiscussionWhat is the context of this research?
Hawaiian Monk seals have two main populations, one in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands (NWHI), and another population residing within the main Hawaiian Islands. They are endangered species who feed mostly on fish, cephalopods, and crustaceans. They rest on beaches when they are not out foraging for food. Monk seals are benthic foragers, meaning they feed on prey near the bottom of the sea floor. They tend to hunt for food right outside the immediate shoreline of the beaches or atolls they rest on. Normally, they forage in waters 60-300 feet deep, but have also been known to dive down to depths deeper than 1000 feet.
What is the significance of this project?
The Hawaiian Monk Seal is considered as an endangered species. Among the Hawaiian Monk seals there are two monk seals. One is called the Main Hawaiian Monk Seals and Northern Hawaii Monk Seals. We plan on Translocate the pattern and route of the NHMS (2D) by attaching the tags on NHMS. By doing this, One possible way is to update fishing/boating laws in order to sustain the species. Secondly, have better ways to track the species in the wild and maintain their diet. Thirdly, understanding the hardship that Hawaiian Monk Seals have to endure to feed themselves and their young.
With all that in mind, we think that it is crucial to raises awareness of the endangered species the Hawaiian Monk Seals. Ultimately, conserve the Hawaiian Monk Seal population.
What are the goals of the project?
·Pinpoint exactly where the Northern Hawaiian Monk Seals and the Main Hawaiian Monk Seals are foraging.
·Track the Seal population foraging behaviors separately via critter cameras.
·Use previous information to find out what the Northern Hawaiian Monk Seals ate when they foraged the same distance from their Main Hawaiian counterparts.
·Figure out the current diet of Northern Hawaiian Monk Seals and the location/ distance it takes to get to the food source from shore.
·Focus if there are differences in the diets of Northern Hawaiian Monk Seal and the Main Hawaiian Island Monk Seals.
·Use all the data to inform tourists about what is happening to the NWHI population and prevent that from happening in the main population. population is growing and we want it to stay that wayBudget
In addition to funding for travel, satellite tags, and field supplies, we would also like to dedicate a portion of donations to public education. As the main population grows, the seals will be interacting with humans more and more. if the public is not aware of the dangers they present to the seals, it will be harder to protect them. we would like to start a program that places an information card in hotels about how to help protect not only the monk seals, but all of the wildlife in Hawaii.
Meet the Team
Team Bio
My name is Iain Miura and I'm a Biology major at University of Hawaii at Manoa. I'm originally from Kobe, Japan.
I'm Kristin Rabago and I'm a biology student at the University of Portland, but originally from Hawaii.
My name is Cassi Mancuso. Im a junior in the biology department and I am originally from Las Vegas
I'm Erik Matousek and I'm majoring in Natural Resources and Environmental Management at the University of Hawaii, and I'm originally from San Francisco, California.
Lisa Munger
To be filled out later.
Lab Notes
Nothing posted yet.
Additional Information
Group Photo:From the left Kristin, Erik, Cassi, Iain
Hawaiian Monk Seal in the ocean
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