HMSRP Hawaiian Monk Seal Handling Data

This data set contains records for all handling and measurement of Hawaiian monk seals since 1981. Live seals are handled and measured during a variety of events including tagging, instrumenting, disentangling, translocation, and health screening by PSD personnel and cooperating scientists as part of the ongoing monk seal population assessment and recovery efforts. In addition, this data set contains measurements of dead seals collected during necropsy and handlings for all seals that were tagged by USFWS in earlier years, and still present in the population when the current research effort began. These handling records extend as far back as 1967. The remainder of the USFWS handling data (data for seals that disappeared prior to the inception of the PSD research program) are housed at PIFSC in paper form.

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. Monk seal handling and collection of morphometric data are essential components of many research and recovery activities. Additionally, documentation of handling events allows us to monitor the study population for possible handling effects.

Division: Protected Species

Division Chief: Charles Littnan

Program: PSD Population Assessment

Authorities: Endangered Species Act

Ownership: PIFSC

Study Area: Hawaiian Archipelago

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: Whenever seals are handled

Time of collection: During spring-summer breeding season, opportunistically at other times of year

Type of Data Collected: Handling records

Collection Method: Collection form

Recording Media: Paper, database on field laptop computers, backup CD files

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

Data Collection Documentation: Field Manual

Validation and QC Procedures: Available

QC Standards: Available

QC Results Available to Users: Available

Automated QC Procedures: Available

Quality Control Documentation: Available

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

Storage Media: Paper forms, ASCII files, ORACLE database

Security and Integrity Plans: Available

Backups: Available

Storage and Security Documentation: Available

Data Distribution Method: Zip files via email or CD

1845 Wasp Blvd., Building 176

Honolulu, HI 96818

Handling records

ENT Table: MS_HANDLING_CARDSENT Table: MS_HANDLING_TYPES

NMFS/PIFSC, Protected Species Division, Hawaiian Monk Seal Research Program Data Access, Sharing, and Dissemination Guidelines

Requestor will be asked to submit a request to Thea Johanos (thea.johanos-kam@noaa.gov)

NMFS/PIFSC, Protected Species Division, Hawaiian Monk Seal Research Program Data Access, Sharing, and Dissemination Guidelines

Use of the data set must be cleared with NMFS/PIFSC, Protected Species Division. These data are PRELIMINARY and have not be completely screened for accuracy. NOAA can not be held liable for use of these data in a manner other than for perusal of preliminary data. The developers of these data are concerned with assuring its proper use. Before data are used to draw specific scientific conclusions, potential users are requested to contact NMFS/PIFSC, Protected Species Division for background on the data. Acknowledgement of the data should be cited. Different versions of the dataset may exist. The user must be sure to use the appropriate data set for the time period of interest. While efforts have been made to ensure that these data are accurate and reliable, NOAA cannot assume liablility for any damages or misrepresentation caused by any inaccuracies in the data or as a result of changes to the data caused by system transfers.

ORACLE database table

Past data needs to be reviewed and brought up to current coding standards.

Past data needs to be reviewed and brought up to current coding standards.

Past data needs to be reviewed and brought up to current coding standards.

Past data needs to be reviewed and brought up to current coding standards.

Past data needs to be reviewed and brought up to current coding standards.

Standard data life-cycle processes are followed to ensure quality and accuracy.

Not applicable

Data are backed-up daily per PIFSC's Information and Technology Services security policies.

Summary of Hawaiian monk seal handling events.