The Hawaiian monk seal is one of the most endangered mammals in the world with less than 1,000 remaining.A bill signed into law today aims to protect them.
Some say the Hawaiian Monk Seal is headed toward extinction.
For nearly two decades Hawaiian monk seals have been disappearing at a rate of more than four percent each year.
"And so if those numbers continue then within the next three to four years we will see the monk seals diminish into one of the rarest species in the pacific ocean,” said Lt. Gov. James “Duke” Aiona.
It's estimated there are 1,100 Hawaiian Monk Seals left.
The majority can be found in the northwest Hawaiian Islands but factors like over fishing, habitat loss and harassment have placed the mammal on the critically endangered list.
"The survival of this species is deeply connected to our ability to survive as a species,” said Keiko Bunk of Save our Seals.
Over the years several Hawaiian Monk Seals have died at the hands of a human.
In 2006, Kauai resident Justin Freemon was charged with beheading a seal at Pilaa Beach.
Since then two other monk seals were found dead on Kauai and one more on Molokai.
That prompted Senator Gary Hooser to introduce a bill asking for stiffer penalties.
"And so today's legislation is another piece another tool in the tool box in an effort to help preserve monk seals and bring them back from the threat of extinction,” said DLNR chairperson, Laura Thielen.
The bill passed unanimously by lawmakers was signed into law Tuesday.
The law now ups the penalty for harming or killing a Hawaiian Monk Seal or any other endangered marine animal to a class C felony, which includes a fine of $50,000 and imprisonment of five years.
Officials say this is one step toward saving Hawaii's state mammal, but more needs to be done, including outreach, education and awareness.
For more information on monk seal protection, visit the Marine Conservation Biology Institute website at http://www.mcbio.org.
