This data set contains records of Hawaiian monk seal and green turtle sightings in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands (NWHI) since 1982 at Lisianski Island, and since 1983 for most other locations. Data are collected during standardized whole-island surveys, both timed (censuses/atoll counts) and not timed (patrols/behavior patrols). Other types of surveys and incidental observations are also included in the data set. Although turtles may be recorded on any survey, turtle data collection is only required during censuses/atoll counts. These data include Main Hawaiian Island (MHI) aerial survey data collected in 2000-01. All MHI sighting data were integrated into a common format in 2005, and eventually the monk seal survey data set will contain all monk seal sighting data regardless of location. Though most of the data have been entered, some data are housed at PIFSC in paper form.

This data set contains records for all handling and measurement of Hawaiian monk seals since 1981. Live seals are handled and measured during a variety of events including tagging, instrumenting, disentangling, translocation, and health screening by PSD personnel and cooperating scientists as part of the ongoing monk seal population assessment and recovery efforts. In addition, this data set contains measurements of dead seals collected during necropsy and handlings for all seals that were tagged by USFWS in earlier years, and still present in the population when the current research effort began. These handling records extend as far back as 1967. The remainder of the USFWS handling data (data for seals that disappeared prior to the inception of the PSD research program) are housed at PIFSC in paper form.

This data set includes physical specimens, paper logs and Freezerworks database of all logged information on specimens collected from Hawaiian monk seals since 1975. Information collected on specimens include animal ID's, dates, preservation methods, storage locations, where specimens were analyzed, and results of analyses. Specimens collected are either Non-invasive specimens collected either from dead animals (e.g., tissues, skeletal samples, body fluids, etc.) or samples are collected from live animals by collecting scats, molts, spews, etc. that are found on the beach near live animals. Invasive specimen collection includes tissue plugs collected when animals are tagged, or health screening/survey samples that are collected during animal restraint. Samples are collected by PSD personnel and cooperating scientists as part of the ongoing health and disease, population genetics, and foraging ecology assessment. Specimens are housed at PIFSC Dole Street office, Kewalo Research Facility, and Ford Island.

This project investigates foraging behavior of Hawaiian monk seals by conducting telemetry studies. During these studies, live seals are instrumented with satellite tags and other instruments to determine foraging locations and dive and foraging behavior. This data set contains a summary of ARGOS location data which is contained in GIS data set of raster files/ESRI shape files.

This photo collection contains identification and other images and video of Hawaiian monk seals taken by PSD personnel and cooperating scientists as part of the ongoing monk seal population assessment efforts. Searchable digital photo databases were developed for each breeding location in 2002 and were in near final form by 2003 and contain individual ID photos, survival factors, necropsy photos, archives, and miscellaneous images.

This project investigates the dietary consumption of Hawaiian monk seals using traditional dietary analysis of fecal and regurgitate samples. Samples are collected opportunistically at haul out locations throughout the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands and Main Hawaiian Islands. Information collected during sample collection includes seal identifications and location of collection. Following cleaning and drying protocols, samples are analyzed and prey hard parts are identified to lowest taxonomic resolution. Identification is made to at least Family level, but often Genus, and occasionally Species level.

This project investigates the dietary consumption of Hawaiian monk seals using traditional dietary analysis of fecal and regurgitate samples. Samples are collected opportunistically at haul out locations throughout the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands and Main Hawaiian Islands. Information collected during sample collection includes seal identifications and location of collection. Following cleaning and drying protocols, samples are analyzed and prey hard parts are identified to lowest taxonomic resolution. Identification is made to at least Family level, but often Genus, and occasionally Species level.

This data set contains focal animal observations and other behavioral data recorded during special studies conducted by PSD personnel and cooperating scientists as part of the ongoing monk seal population assessment and survival enhancement efforts. These include Effects of Tagging and Association Patterns studies conducted at Lisianski Island in 1982, Pair Watches recorded as part of a behavioral study at Laysan Island in 1985, behavior data collected at Sea Life Park, and mother-pup observations collected at Trig Island in 2009 (roughly replicating Boness' earlier FFS mother-pup study). Most data have been entered, however some data are housed at PIFSC in paper form.

The data set contains records of all entanglements of Hawaiian monk seals in marine debris. The data set comprises records of seals entangled by derelict fishing gear, plastic items such as rings or packing bands, or other items of human provenance. Records are also included of seals which have girdling scars characteristic of having been entangled, even if no direct entanglement was observed. The data include number of incidents, not number of individual seals (since some animals have been entangled multiple times). The data do NOT include incidents in which seals become entangled in fishing gear while it is being actively fished. Data include primarily reports from field biologists in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands. Data set is now complete. Ongoing data on entanglements are recorded in the Hawaiian monk seal Survival Factor dataset.

This data set contains information on Hawaiian monk seal gross necropsy (in some cases only field notes or minimal information) and histopathology results beginning in 1964. Data includes information on all recovered Hawaiian monk seal carcasses that were necropsied. Information derived from pathology reports is included when tissues were reviewed by pathologists. Necropsy tissues are collected by Hawaiian Monk Seal Research Program (HMSRP) personnel and cooperating scientists as part of the ongoing health and disease assessment. The tissues are reviewed by collaborating pathologists. All original paper reports are housed at the NOAA Inouye Regional Center (IRC) and most are available electronically. Data are available in an excel spreadsheet.