Readin', Ritin', and Rthimitic;

Studying Human-Seal interactions n Midway Atoll Towards Developing a Focused Hawaiian Monk Seal Education Program to Compliment Recovery Efforts and Mitigate Observed Anthropogenic Disturbances.

Sentman, Wayne, Vanderlip, Cynthia, Canja, Suzanne

As Hawaiian monk seal numbers increase at Midway Atoll the subsequent ise of seals hauled out on beaches creates more opportunities for humans to encounter and interact with this endangered species. Add to this a year round human population of 150 individuals living on this breeding site and the need for an intensive education and mitigation program is critical to reducing this potential. The documentation of visitors to the Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge (MANWR) violating
National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) and MANWR seal viewing guidelines has increased. Patrols monitoring human activities demonstrate increases in monitoring effort linked to increased sightings of humans approaching seals. In some cases coming within 10-ft of resting seals, causing them to return to the water.

While incidental human-seal interactions may be of little threat to the daily monk seal population of Midway, a year round pattern of these interactions, if happening in critical areas (pupping and hauling beaches) is historically antithetical to monk seal recovery.

Over the last two years Oceanic Society combined information with NMFS and MANWR staff to promote monk seal education on island. Presenting weekly lectures has resulted in visitors and residents communicating their support of refuge rules, and voluntarily reporting their own transgressions. Photos, video, and personal accounts of how violations occur have helped in developing management actions to mitigate breaches of refuge rules. While the value of education programs may be difficult to quantify their use can serve as a significant compliment for an effective recovery program. Furthermore with over 3000 visitors each year, Midway is the only destination for individuals to learn about the Northwest Hawaiian Islands (NWHI). Developed as a showcase (with visitation and education programs coupled with year round population monitoring) it may provide valuable public understanding and support for the NWHI wide recovery effort.