NOAA Needs Help Counting Hawaiian Monk Seals

NOAA Fisheries is calling on marine life enthusiasts to help survey Mauiʻs shores for endangered Hawaiian monk seals.

Volunteers will help NOAA Fisheries personnel count endangered Hawaiian monk seals and clean their habitat along the coastline.

The event, which will be held on Oct. 19 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., is free and open to the public.

Volunteers must attend either of the pre-count meetings below in order to participate:

• Oct. 15 from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary
• Oct. 17 from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Maui Ocean Center.

To register for the 2nd Annual Main Hawaiian Islands Monk Seal Count, contact nicole.davis@noaa.gov or (808) 270-7075.

NOAA Fisheries is also reminding the public to report all sightings of Hawaiian monk seals in Maui County to its hotline at (808) 292-2372, or the 24hr toll-free Marine Animal Hotline at 1-888-256-9840.