The proposal to expand the protective critical habitat for the Hawaiian monk seal, considered the most endangered marine mammal on the planet, into the Main Hawaiian Islands received overwhelming support from thousands of Sea Turtle Restoration Project members and online activists. STRP joined twenty seven other organizations from the Hawaiian Islands and around the U.S. on a coalition letter of support. Click here to download the coalition letter.

With just over 1,200 individuals remaining, the Hawaiian monk seal is on the brink of extinction. Competition from commercial fisheries has decimated prey abundance in their limited protected habitat, resulting in the deaths of countless seal pups from starvation. Marine debris entanglement and impacts from longline fishing and other fisheries are taking a large toll on the remaining seals.

Hawaiian residents have the opportunity to speak out for more protective habitat at a series of public meetings. The benefits of Hawaiian monk seal critical habitat protections will aid the entire marine ecosystem and the growing population of green sea turtles that frequently sun themselves on many beaches.

Visit our Action Center to support endangered sea turtles and marine biodiversity around the globe.