HMSRP Hawaiian Monk Seal Shark Predation Mitigation Fishing Excursions

Fishing excursion information, including summary tables of: Fishing/culling efforts, including date, islets, latitude/longitude, fishing method, soak times, culled shark #. Also catch disposition, length, samples taken, photos, and year specific information.

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) is the lead agency responsible for the recovery of the Hawaiian monk seal. Each year the NMFS Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center, Protected Species Division, Hawaiian Monk Seal Research Program conducts studies at the main breeding sites to provide information necessary to evaluate (1) the status and trends of the monk seal subpopulations, (2) natural history traits such as survival, reproduction, growth, behavior, and feeding habits, and (3) the success of various activities designed to facilitate population growth. In recent years, Galapagoes Shark predation has become a major cause of death and injury to nursing and newly weaned Hawaiian monk seal pups at French Frigate Shoals, and studies have shown that a small subset of the Galapagoes Shark population at French Frigate Shoals frequent areas near pupping beaches. The purpose of this fishing/culling effort is to catch sharks predating on pups, and thus increase survival of nursing and newly weaned monk seal pups.

Division: Protected Species

Division Chief: Charles Littnan

Program: PSD Survival Enhancement

Authorities: Endangered Species Act

Ownership: PIFSC

Study Area: Hawaiian Archipelago, French Frigate Shoals

Spatial Resolution: Island or Atoll, islet and sector (perimeter of each islet divided into sectors for use in data collection)

Temporal Resolution: Date

Frequency of Collection: Daily

Time of collection: During the field season

Type of Data Collected: Fishing logs

Collection Method: Data forms

Recording Media: Paper, Excel

Collection Standards of the Data or Creation Standards of the Data Product: Available

Data Collection Documentation: Internal documents

Storage Location: 1845 Wasp Blvd., Bldg 176, Honolulu, HI 96818

Storage Media: Paper, binders, Excel

Security and Integrity Plans: Available

Storage and Security Documentation: Available

Data Distribution Method: Zip files via email or CD

1845 Wasp Blvd., Bldg 176, Honolulu, HI 96818

Fishing Log

Use of the data set must be cleared with NMFS/PIFSC, Protected Species Division

Data are available by following the URL provided in this metadata record. Requestor is asked to submit a request to the distributor.

none

Data use for analysis or publication is expected to be conducted in collaboration with and proper attribution to NOAA scientists responsible for data collection.

Fishing and observation efforts are dependent upon field season length and logistical considerations such as weather and available field staff.

Fishing and observation efforts are dependent upon field season length and logistical considerations such as weather and available field staff.

Observation efforts are dependent upon field season length and logistical considerations such as weather and available field staff.

Field camp leaders were responsible for ensuring data were recorded by field crews and error checking all data entry.

Original files will be regularly backed up and stored on a secure server separate from publicly accessible files.

Field crews recorded time spent fishing for sharks in the event that shark presence and interaction with seals triggered initiation of our fishing protocol.