HMSRP Hawaiian Monk Seal Fisheries Interactions data

The data set contains records of all documented hookings and/or entanglements of Hawaiian monk seals with actively fished gear, both commercial and recreational. The data do NOT include fishery interactions in which seals take the bait or the catch without becoming hooked or entangled. Data include 1) reports from the public or field biologists of seals sighted with embedded hooks; 2) reports from the public or field biologists of seals entangled in nearshore gillnets within the Main Hawaiian Islands (MHI); 3) NMFS observer reports, and 4) fishery logbooks. Reports from the public are followed up by field biologists to verify the incident. Seals observed entangled in nearshore gillnets in the MHI are generally considered to have become entangled while the gear was being actively fished, rather than when the gear may have been derelict.

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) is the lead agency responsible for the recovery of the Hawaiian monk seal. NMFS Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center, Protected Species Division, Hawaiian Monk Seal Research Program research includes identifying threats to the population and where possible to mitigate against these threats. Moreover, NMFS prepares annual stock assessments of all marine mammal populations, and these assessments include anthropogenic sources of injury and mortality. Fishery interactions of monk seals are therefore included in these reports.

Division: Protected Species

Division Chief: Charles Littnan

Program: PSD Hawaiian Monk Seal Research

Authorities: Endangered Species Act, Marine Mammal Protection Act

Ownership: PIFSC

Study Area: Hawaiian Archipelago

Spatial Resolution: Island or Islet. Beach perimeter divided into sectors in NWHI. Beach name or locality in MHI.

Temporal Resolution: Date

Frequency of Collection: Whenever fishery interactions occur

Time of collection: Year-round

Type of Data Collected: Hooking and active entanglement incidents

Data Collection Method: Text reports, e-mail, photograhps

Recording Media: Text files, digitial photographs, e-mail

Data Collection Documentation: Text narratives, photographs

Validation and QC Procedures: Available

Quality Control Documentation: Available

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

Storage Media: Excel spreadsheet, fishery interaction notebook

Backups: Available

Storage and Security Documentation: Available

Update Schedule: Whenever incidents occur

Data Distribution Method: Excel spreadsheet

1845 Wasp Blvd.

Bldg. #176

Hooking and active net entanglement incidents

ANTHROPOGENIC_INJURIES

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

Data are available by following the URL provided in this metadata record. The requester is asked to submit a request to Tracy Mercer (Tracy.Mercer@noaa.gov) and work with her and other PIFSC Hawaiian Monk Seal Research Program staff to assure proper use of this data.

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

Use of the data set will ideally 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.

Data is collected at Hawaiian monk seal haulout locations during variable-length field seasons. Injuries or deaths may not be observed if they occur outside of the field season, in areas that are rarely surveyed, or at sea.

Data is collected at Hawaiian monk seal haulout locations during variable-length field seasons. Injuries or deaths may not be observed if they occur outside of the field season, in areas that are rarely surveyed, or at sea.

Data should be review prior to analysis

Data are collected over extended period by multiple observers

Data should be reviewed prior to analysis

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

Not Applicable

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

Summary of impacts to monk seals based on documented interactions involving actively fished gear in the main Hawaiian Islands.