The Commission noted that, if this approach were adopted, it 

 should be possible to complete the update by the end of the 

 year, to organize and hold planning and coordination meetings 

 in January and February 1989, and to complete and adopt a 

 Comprehensive Implementation Plan by April or May of 1989. 



At the end of 1988, the Service had not responded to the 

 Commission's suggestions. The Commission intends to conduct 

 a comprehensive review of issues related to the conservation 

 and protection of the southern sea otter early in 1989. 



Hawaiian Monk Seal (Monachus schauinslandi) 



The Hawaiian monk seal occurs only in the Hawaiian Islands. 

 Animals are sighted only rarely around the main Hawaiian 

 islands and are found almost exclusively along the 1,100 mile 

 chain of small, remote islands, atolls, and reefs northwest 

 of the main Islands. Beaches in the northwest Hawaiian Islands 

 are used for pupping, nursing, and resting. Shallow waters 

 surrounding these beaches, including the lagoons, reef flats, 

 and seaward slopes atop the submerged volcanic cones which 

 form the chain, are essential feeding and mating areas. 



Harassment and over-exploitation by sealers during the 

 19th century brought the species close to extinction. The 

 first systematic counts of animals were made in the 1950s, at 

 which time the population was thought to be increasing. In 

 subsequent years, however, the numbers apparently declined. 

 Counts of animals in 1983 were roughly half the number counted 

 in 1958. More recently, there are encouraging signs that the 

 population size is increasing. Counts between 1983 and 1987 

 suggest that the number of births and the total number of 

 animals counted on island beaches are greater than levels 

 observed in 1983. The population currently is estimated to 

 number about 1,500 animals. The species is listed as endangered 

 under the Endangered Species Act. 



The National Marine Fisheries Service is responsible for 

 protecting Hawaiian monk seals and their habitat under the 

 Marine Mammal Protection Act and the Endangered Species Act. 

 Because most of the species' terrestrial habitat is within 

 the Hawaiian Islands National Wildlife Refuge, the Fish and 

 Wildlife Service also has important responsibilities for 

 protecting the species and its habitat. As discussed in 

 previous Annual Reports, critical issues relating to the 

 recovery of Hawaiian monk seals include: disturbance of 

 seals on pupping and haul-out beaches; interactions between 

 monk seals and commercial fisheries; entanglement in lost and 

 discarded fishing gear and other marine debris; designation 

 of critical habitat under the Endangered Species Act; management 

 of the Hawaiian Islands National Wildlife Refuge; and identi- 



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