would be highly desirable to continue and perhaps expand the 
studies to include regular surveys and behavior observations 
on monk seals on other islands. Much of the data had not 
been fully evaluated, however, and it was not possible to 
determine precisely what, when, where, or how the follow-up 
studies should be conducted. Therefore, the Commission 
provided funds and guidance, and made arrangements with the 
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to provide a biometrician to 
help the investigators conduct a more detailed evaluation of 
selected survey and resighting data. The results of the 
analysis were used to evaluate alternative methods for 
estimating population size and to help plan the field study 
described below. 
Continuation of Monk Seal Studies on Laysan Island 
(National Marine Fisheries Service) 
Since 1977, the Marine Mammal Commission, the National 
Marine Fisheries, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 
have jointly sponsored an in-depth study of the monk seal 
population on Laysan Island (see previous Annual Reports). 
The study has provided essential data on the demography, 
activity patterns, and behavior of monk seals and, from the 
results of the data analyses described above, the Commission 
determined that it should be continued for at least another 
year. The National Marine Fisheries Service concurred with 
the Commission's determination and funds were transferred to 
the Service so that the study could be continued. A comprehensive 
analysis of the data from the study will be undertaken in 
1981 (see below) and the results of the analysis will be 
used by the Monk Seal Recovery Team, the Commission, and the 
National Marine Fisheries Service to assist in identifying 
actions needed to encourage recovery and monitor the status 
of the Hawaiian monk seal population. 
Analysis of Data Concerning the Biology, Ecology, Behavior 
and Population Dynamics of Monk Seals on Laysan Island 
(National Marine Fisheries Service) 
As noted above, an in-depth study of the monk seals on 
Laysan Island has been underway since 1977. The study has 
produced more data than originally anticipated and, as a 
result, all of the data have not been analyzed and reported. 
The Monk Seal Recovery Team reviewed the study results 
during its first meeting in April 1980 and, following the 
meeting, advised the National Marine Fisheries Service and 
the Commission that a more thorough analysis of the data 
would facilitate the development of the Monk Seal Recovery 
Plan. The Commission concurred with this determination and, 
in addition to providing the necessary funds, advised the 
