2024 Ni’ihau monk seal survey summary report

Two complete island-wide Hawaiian monk seal surveys were conducted at Ni’ihau in 2024. These surveys were funded by the U.S. Navy and carried out by staff from Naval Facilities Engineering Command Hawaii (NAVFAC), State of Hawaii Division of Aquatic Resources (DAR), Pacific Island Fisheries Science Center (PIFSC), and Ni’ihau Ranch following the Hawaiian Monk Seal Research Program (HMSRP) survey protocols. Surveys of Ni’ihau were conducted on July 1 and August 19. A single survey of Lehua Rock was conducted by HMSRP staff via small boat on August 19 in conjunction with the Ni’ihau survey.