Chapter III — Species of Special Concern 
vessels fishing out to 100 nautical miles around the 
Northwestern Hawaiian Islands. The Recovery Team 
recommended that recent information from this fishery 
be reviewed in order to determine if there is a prob- 
lem involving monk seal interactions and also recom- 
mended that, if swordfish move into the protected 
species zone, the Service seek help from the Coast 
Guard to prevent illegal fishing. 
In response to these recommendations, the Ser- 
vice’s 11 March 1992 letter indicated that it was 
confident that monk seals rarely travel beyond 50 
nautical miles from the islands, but that it had placed 
an observer aboard one longline vessel fishing beyond 
50 nautical miles in December 1991. It also indicated 
it would consider placing additional observers aboard 
vessels as opportunities and resources permitted. The 
Commission was subsequently advised that no monk 
seal interactions were reported during the December 
1991 observer trip although it was not told where that 
vessel fished. As of the end of 1992, the Commission 
had not been advised whether additional observers had 
been deployed on longline vessels. During 1992, the 
Service found it unnecessary to seek Coast Guard help 
in monitoring fishing within the protected species 
zone. 
To help determine whether monk seals move into 
longline fishing areas around the protected species 
zone and also to improve information on at-sea 
foraging and habitat-use patterns, the Commission’s 
December 1991 letter also recommended that a pilot 
program be undertaken to radio-tag and track monk 
seals by satellite. The Service agreed with this 
recommendation and developed plans to test the 
feasibility of tracking monk seals with satellite-linked 
tags. At its meeting, the Recovery Team reviewed 
and endorsed the Service’s plans. Subsequently, the 
Service tested satellite-linked tags with time-depth 
recorders on three sub-adult monk seals on French 
Frigate Shoals. 
Preliminary findings suggest that satellite-linked 
tags with time-depth recorders are suitable for use on 
sub-adult and adult seals, but presently are too large 
for use on younger animals. While the sample size is 
too small to reach any definitive conclusions about 
habitat-use patterns, all three sub-adult males appear 
29 
to have remained near their tagging location. Among 
other things, it is not clear how other age or sex 
classes or seals at other islands may differ with 
respect to range and habitat-use patterns. It is also 
not clear whether tags without time-depth recorders 
may be used on younger animals. At the end of 
1992, the Commission looked forward to reviewing 
results of the tests, which were still being analyzed. 
Interactions with Commercial Lobster 
and Bottomfish Fishing 
Fisheries for lobster and bottomfish also occur on 
reefs in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands, and direct 
interactions with monk seals have been reported in 
both fisheries. For example, seals are occasionally 
seen taking hooked fish from bottomfish fishing lines 
or near lobster fishing vessels. Both fisheries also 
have significantly reduced the stocks of target species. 
In this regard, lobster stocks in the Northwestern 
Hawaiian Islands are considered overfished. Although 
lobster and bottomfish are eaten at least occasionally 
by monk seals, their importance in the diet of differ- 
ent age classes of seals is unclear. As discussed in 
previous annual reports, the Commission has com- 
mented on relevant fisheries management plans for 
lobster and bottomfish. 
In its December 1991 letter the Commission 
recommended that the Service reexamine its efforts to 
place observers aboard lobster and bottomfish fishing 
vessels, as well as longline vessels, to ensure that 
adequate information on interactions is being gathered. 
It also recommended that the Service (1) adopt an 
amendment recommended by the Western Pacific 
Regional Fishery Management Council to close the 
lobster fishery in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands 
until lobster stocks in that area recover to optimum 
levels, and (2) consult with the Council to assess the 
potential effect that overfishing of lobster stocks might 
have on monk seal recovery and whether the optimum 
yield as defined in the lobster fishery management 
plan needs to be revised to address ecological factors 
and possible second-order effects on monk seals. 
The Recovery Team recommended similar steps. 
It recommended that the Service pursue efforts to 
place observers aboard lobster fishing vessels and that 
