50 CFR § 226.201 - Critical habitat for the Hawaiian monk seal (Neomonachus schauinslandi).
Critical habitat is designated for Hawaiian monk seals as described in this section. The textual descriptions of critical habitat in this section are the definitive source for determining the critical habitat boundaries.
(a) Critical habitat boundaries. Critical habitat is designated to include all areas in paragraphs (a)(1) and (2) of this section and as described in paragraphs (b)(1) and (2) of this section:
(1) Northwestern Hawaiian Islands: Hawaiian monk seal critical habitat areas include all beach areas, sand spits and islets, including all beach crest vegetation to its deepest extent inland, lagoon waters, inner reef waters, and including marine habitat through the water's edge, including the seafloor and all subsurface waters and marine habitat within 10 m of the seafloor, out to the 200-m depth contour line (relative to mean lower low water) around the following 10 areas:
(i) Kure Atoll,
(ii) Midway Islands,
(iii) Pearl and Hermes Reef,
(iv) Lisianski Island,
(v) Laysan Island,
(vi) Maro Reef,
(vii) Gardner Pinnacles,
(viii) French Frigate Shoals,
(ix) Necker Island, and
(x) Nihoa Island.
(2) Main Hawaiian Islands: Hawaiian monk seal critical habitat areas surrounding the following islands listed below are defined in the marine environment by a seaward boundary that extends from the 200-m depth contour line (relative to mean lower low water), including the seafloor and all subsurface waters and marine habitat within 10 m of the seafloor, through the water's edge into the terrestrial environment where the inland boundary extends 5 m (in length) from the shoreline between identified boundary points listed in the table below around the areas listed in paragraphs (a)(2)(i)–(vi) of this section. The shoreline is described by the upper reaches of the wash of the waves, other than storm or seismic waves, at high tide during the season in which the highest wash of the waves occurs, usually evidenced by the edge of vegetation growth or the upper limit of debris (except those areas identified in paragraph (c) of this section). In areas where critical habitat does not extend inland, the designation has a seaward boundary of a line that marks mean lower low water.
| Area | Island | Textual description of segment | Boundary points | Latitude | Longitude |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 13 | Kauai | Southeast coast of Kauai (Nomilu Fishpond area through Mahaulepu) | KA 11
KA 12 |
21°53′08″ N.
21°53′34″ N. |
159°31′48″ W.
159°24′25″ W. |
| 13 | Kauai | Kawelikoa Point to Molehu | KA 21
KA 22 |
21°54′26″ N.
21°54′48″ N. |
159°23′26″ W.
159°23′08″ W. |
| 13 | Kauai | Lydgate Park through Wailua canal | KA 31
KA 32 |
22°02′11″ N.
22°02′41″ N. |
159°20′08″ W.
159°20′11″ W. |
| 13 | Kauai | Wailua canal through Waikaea canal | KA 41
KA 42 |
22°02′45″ N.
22°04′14″ N. |
159°20′10″ W.
159°18′60″ W. |
| 13 | Kauai | Waikaea canal through Kealia | KA 51
KA 52 |
22°04′15″ N.
22°05′59″ N. |
159°19′01″ W.
159°18′08″ W. |
| 13 | Kauai | Anahola and Aliomanu areas | KA 61
KA 62 |
22°07′46″ N.
22°09′28″ N. |
159°17′35″ W.
159°18′18″ W. |
| 13 | Kauai | Moloaa Bay through Kepuhi Point | KA 71
KA 72 |
22°11′38″ N.
22°12′52″ N. |
159°19′46″ W.
159°21′14″ W. |
| 13 | Kauai | Southeast of Kilauea | KA 81
KA 82 |
22°13′48″ N.
22°13′55″ N. |
159°23′52″ W.
159°24′06″ W. |
| 13 | Kauai | Wainiha Beach Park through Kee Beach Park | KA 91
KA 92 |
22°12′60″ N.
22°13′13″ N. |
159°32′30″ W.
159°35′01″ W. |
| 13 | Kauai | Milolii State Park Beach Area | KA 101
KA 102 |
22°09′13″ N.
22°08′59″ N. |
159°42′52″ W.
159°43′21″ W. |
| 14 | Oahu | Keana Point Area | OA 11
OA 12 |
21°34′43″ N.
21°32′45″ N. |
158°15′37″ W.
158°14′25″ W. |
| 14 | Oahu | Maili Beach through Kalaeloa Barbers Point Harbor | OA 21
OA 22 |
21°25′43″ N.
21°19′24″ N. |
158°10′48″ W.
158°07′20″ W. |
| 14 | Oahu | Kalaeloa Barbers Point Harbor through Iroquois Point | OA 31
OA 32 |
21°19′18″ N.
21°19′20″ N. |
158°07′17″ W.
157°58′17″ W. |
| 14 | Oahu | Diamond Head area | OA 41
OA 42 |
21°15′27″ N.
21°15′24″ N. |
157°49′05″ W.
157°47′45″ W. |
| 14 | Oahu | Hanauma Bay through Sandy Beach | OA 51
OA 52 |
21°16′05″ N.
21°17′45″ N. |
157°41′50″ W.
157°39′27″ W. |
| 14 | Oahu | Makapuu Beach Area | OA 61
OA 62 |
21°18′36″ N.
21°18′58″ N. |
157°39′31″ W.
157°39′55″ W. |
| 14 | Oahu | Lori Point through Waimea Bay | OA 71
OA 72 |
21°40′26″ N.
21°38′18″ N. |
157°56′00″ W.
158°03′56″ W. |
| 14 | Oahu | Kapapa Island (Kaneohe Bay) | OAi 1 | 21°28′36″ N. | 157°47′55″ W. |
| 14 | Oahu | Mokulua—Moku Nui | OAi 2 | 21°23′30″ N. | 157°41′56”W. |
| 14 | Oahu | Mokulua—Moku Iki | OAi 3 | 21°23′16″ N. | 157°41′52″ W. |
| 14 | Oahu | Manana (Rabbit Island) | OAi 4 | 21°19′44″ N. | 157°39′24″ W. |
| 15 | Molokai | Laau Point Area | MO 11
MO 12 |
21°07′49″ N.
21°05′21″ N. |
157°17′47″ W.
157°15′50″ W. |
| 15 | Molokai | Kalaupapa Area | MO 21
MO 22 |
21°12′33″ N.
21°11′28″ N. |
156°58′52″ W.
156°59′06″ W. |
| 15 | Molokai | Moku Hooniki | MOi 1 | 21°07′59″ N. | 156°42′10″ W. |
| 15 | Lanai | Shipwreck Beach Area | LA 11
LA 12 |
20°54′45″ N.
20°55′20″ N. |
156°53′45″ W.
156°56′45″ W. |
| 15 | Lanai | Northwest Lanai (Including Polihua Beach) | LA 21
LA 22 |
20°55′42″ N.
20°52′02″ N. |
156°59′47″ W.
157°02′33″ W. |
| 15 | Lanai | North of Kamalapau Harbor | LA 31
LA 32 |
20°48′38″ N.
20°47′17″ N. |
156°59′15″ W.
156°59′24″ W. |
| 15 | Lanai | Kamalapau Harbor through Kaholo Pali | LA 41
LA 42 |
20°47′13″ N.
20°46′59″ N. |
156°59′27″ W.
156°59′31″ W. |
| 15 | Lanai | Kaholo Pali through Manele Harbor | LA 51
LA 52 |
20°44′13″ N.
20°44′29″ N. |
156°58′01″ W.
156°53′15″ W. |
| 15 | Lanai | Manele Harbor through Nakalahale Cliff | LA 61
LA 62 |
20°44′35″ N.
20°44′49″ N. |
156°53′14″ W.
156°52′16″ W. |
| 15 | Lanai | Nakalahale Cliff through Lopa Beach | LA 71
LA 72 |
20°45′07″ N.
20°48′21″ N. |
156°51′50″ W.
156°48′24″ W. |
| 15 | Lanai | Puupehe * | LAi 1 | 20°44′04″ N. | 156°53′25″ W. |
| 15 | Kahoolawe | Mid-North coast (including Kaukamoku and Ahupuiki) | KH 11
KH 12 |
20°34′36″ N.
20°34′10″ N. |
156°37′36″ W.
156°38′15″ W. |
| 15 | Kahoolawe | Eastern coast of Kahoolawe (Honokoa through Sailer's Hat) | KH 21
KH 22 |
20°33′08″ N.
20°30′04″ N. |
156°40′35″ W.
156°40′23″ W. |
| 15 | Maui | Kuloa Point through Hana Wharf and Ramp | MA 11
MA 12 |
20°40′02″ N.
20°45′21″ N. |
156°02′27″ W.
155°58′54″ W. |
| 15 | Maui | Hana Wharf and Ramp through Kainalimu Bay | MA 21
MA 22 |
20°45′20″ N.
20°46′08″ N. |
155°58′56″ W.
155°59′04″ W. |
| 15 | Maui | Keanae Pennisula to Nauailua Bay | MA 31
MA 32 |
20°51′56″ N.
20°51′41″ N. |
156°08′46″ W.
156°08′55″ W. |
| 15 | Maui | Maliko Bay through Papaula Point | MA 41
MA 42 |
20°56′11″ N.
20°54′30″ N. |
156°21′11″ W.
156°25′06″ W. |
| 15 | Maui | Kahului Harbor West through Waihee Beach Park | MA 51
MA 52 |
20°53′53″ N.
20°56′04″ N. |
156°28′47″ W.
156°30′15″ W. |
| 15 | Maui | Punalau Beach through to Mala Wharf | MA 61
MA 62 |
21°01′20″ N.
20°53′09″ N. |
156°37′28″ W.
156°41′10″ W. |
| 15 | Maui | Southeast of Mala Wharf through to Lahaina Harbor | MA 71
MA 72 |
20°53′04″ N.
20°52′26″ N. |
156°41′12″ W.
156°40′43″ W. |
| 15 | Maui | Southeast of Lahaina Harbor through to Papalaua | MA 81
MA 82 |
20°52′12″ N.
20°47′34″ N. |
156°40′39″ W.
156°34′00″ W. |
| 15 | Maui | East of Maalaea Harbor through to Kihei boat ramp | MA 91
MA 92 |
20°47′32″ N.
20°42′29″ N. |
156°30′34″ W.
156°26′46″ W. |
| 15 | Maui | South of Kihei Boat Ramp through Ahihi Bay | MA 101
MA 102 |
20°42′27″ N.
20°37′39″ N. |
156°26′47″ W.
156°26′40″ W. |
| 15 | Maui | La Perouse Bay from Kalaeloa Point through Pohakueaea Point | MA 111
MA 112 |
20°35′43″ N.
20°34′45″ N. |
156°25′33″ W.
156°23′29″ W. |
| 15 | Maui | Molokini Crater | MAi 1 | 20°37′51″ N. | 156°29′43″ W. |
| 16 | Hawaii | Waimanu through Laupahoehoenui | HA 11
HA 12 |
20°08′35″ N.
20°09′54″ N. |
155°37′59″ W.
155°39′18″ W. |
| 16 | Hawaii | Keokea Bay through Kauhola Point | HA 21
HA 22 |
20°13′39″ N.
20°14′44″ N. |
155°44′49″ W.
155°46′18″ W. |
| 16 | Hawaii | Kapaa Beach County Park to Mahukona Harbor | HA 31
HA 32 |
20°12′16″ N.
20°11′04″ N. |
155°54′06″ W.
155°54′05″ W. |
| 16 | Hawaii | South of Mahukona Harbor | HA 41
HA 42 |
20°10′60″ N.
20°10′51″ N. |
155°54′03″ W.
155°54′07″ W. |
| 16 | Hawaii | Pauoa Bay to Makaiwa Bay area | HA 51
HA 52 |
19°57′03″ N.
19°56′38″ N. |
155°51′49″ W.
155°52′10″ W. |
| 16 | Hawaii | Anaehoomalu Bay area through Keawaiki Bay area | HA 61
HA 62 |
19°54′42″ N.
19°53′09″ N. |
155°53′26″ W.
155°54′34″ W. |
| 16 | Hawaii | Puu Alii Bay Area through Mahaiula Bay | HA 71
HA 72 |
19°47′37″ N.
19°46′53″ N. |
156°01′33″ W.
156°02′18″ W. |
| 16 | Hawaii | Keahole Point through Kaloko-Honokohau National Historic Park | HA 81
HA 82 |
19°43′54″ N.
19°40′28″ N. |
156°03′26″ W.
156°01′34″ W. |
| 16 | Hawaii | South of Oneo Bay area through to Holualoa Bay area | HA 91
HA 92 |
19°38′10″ N.
19°36′31″ N. |
155°59′29″ W.
155°58′41″ W. |
| 16 | Hawaii | Kahaluu Bay Area through Keauhou Bay Area | HA 101
HA 102 |
19°34′49″ N.
19°33′43″ N. |
155°57′59″ W.
155°57′43″ W. |
| 16 | Hawaii | Kealakekua Bay Area | HA 111
HA 112 |
19°28′38″ N.
19°28′25″ N. |
155°55′13″ W.
155°55′10″ W. |
| 16 | Hawaii | Honaunau Bay Area | HA 121
HA 122 |
19°25′35″ N.
19°25′01″ N. |
155°55′02″ W.
155°54′42″ W. |
| 16 | Hawaii | Milolii Bay Area through Honomalino Bay Area | HA 131
HA 132 |
19°11′07″ N.
19°10′04″ N. |
155°54′29″ W.
155°54′35″ W. |
| 16 | Hawaii | Ka Lae National Historic Landmark District through Mahana Bay | HA 141
HA 142 |
18°54′54″ N.
18°55′00″ N. |
155°40′59″ W.
155°40′09″ W. |
| 16 | Hawaii | Papakolea Green Sand Beach Area | HA 151
HA 152 |
18°56′10″ N.
18°56′11″ N. |
155°38′47″ W.
155°38′45″ W. |
| 16 | Hawaii | Kaalualu Bay Area | HA 161
HA 162 |
18°58′14″ N.
18°58′18″ N. |
155°37′01″ W.
155°36′49″ W. |
| 16 | Hawaii | Whittington Beach Area through Punaluu Beach Area | HA 171
HA 172 |
19°05′04″ N.
19°08′06″ N. |
155°33′03″ W.
155°30′09″ W. |
| 16 | Hawaii | Halape Area through Keauhou Point Area | HA 181
HA 182 |
19°16′14″ N.
19°15′45″ N. |
155°15′20″ W.
155°13′59″ W. |
| 16 | Hawaii | Kapoho Bay Area | HA 191
HA 192 |
19°29′38″ N.
19°30′10″ N. |
154°49′01″ W.
154°48′46″ W. |
| 16 | Hawaii | Lehia Beach Park through to Hilo Harbor | HA 201
HA 202 |
19°44′07″ N.
19°43′56″ N. |
155°00′38″ W.
155°03′02″ W. |
| 16 | Hawaii | Papaikou Area | HA 211
HA 212 |
19°46′39″ N.
19°46′43″ N. |
155°05′18″ W.
155°05′18″ W. |
| 16 | Hawaii | Onomea Bay Area | HA 221
HA 222 |
19°48′33″ N.
19°48′37″ N. |
155°05′34″ W.
155°05′22″ W. |
| 16 | Hawaii | Hakalau Area | HA 231
HA 232 |
19°54′02″ N.
19°54′05″ N. |
155°07′32″ W.
155°07′43″ W. |
(i) Kaula Island,
(ii) Niihau,
(iii) Kauai,
(iv) Oahu,
(v) Maui Nui (including Kahoolawe, Lanai, Maui, and Molokai), and
(vi) Hawaii.
(b) Essential features. The essential features for the conservation of the Hawaiian monk seal are the following:
(1) Terrestrial areas and adjacent shallow, sheltered aquatic areas with characteristics preferred by monk seals for pupping and nursing. Preferred areas that serve an essential service or function for Hawaiian monk seal conservation are defined as those areas where two or more females have given birth or where a single female chooses to return to the same site more than one year. Preferred pupping areas generally include sandy, protected beaches located adjacent to shallow sheltered aquatic areas, where the mother and pup may nurse, rest, swim, thermoregulate, and shelter from extreme weather. Additionally, this habitat area provides relatively protected space for the newly weaned pup to acclimate to life on its own. The newly weaned pup uses these areas for swimming, exploring, socializing, thermoregulatory cooling and the first attempts at foraging. Characteristics of terrestrial pupping habitat may include various substrates such as sand, shallow tide pools, coral rubble, or rocky substrates, as long as these substrates provide accessibility to seals for hauling out. Some preferred sites may also incorporate areas with low lying vegetation used by the pair for shade or cover, or relatively low levels of anthropogenic disturbance. Characteristics of the adjoined sheltered aquatic sites may include reefs, tide pools, gently sloping beaches, and shelves or coves that provide refuge from storm surges and predators.
(2) Marine areas from 0 to 200 m in depth that support adequate prey quality and quantity for juvenile and adult monk seal foraging. Inshore, benthic and offshore teleosts, cephalopods, and crustaceans are commonly described as monk seal prey items. Habitat types that are regularly used for foraging include the sand terraces, talus slopes, submerged reefs and banks, nearby seamounts, barrier reefs, and slopes of reefs and islands. Monk seals focus foraging in bottom habitats on bottom-associated prey species, with most foraging occurring in waters between 0 to 200 m in depth. Habitat conditions, such as water quality, substrate composition and available habitat, should support growth and recruitment of bottom-associated prey species to the extent that monk seal populations are able to successfully forage.
(3) Significant areas used by monk seals for hauling out, resting or molting. Significant haul-out areas are defined by the frequency with which local populations of seals use a stretch of coastline or particular beach. Significant haul-out areas are defined as natural coastlines that are accessible to Hawaiian monk seals and are frequented by Hawaiian monk seals at least 10 percent as often as the highest used haul out site(s) on individual islands, or islets. Significant haul-out areas are essential to Hawaiian monk seal conservation because these areas provide space that supports natural behaviors important to health and development, such as resting, molting, and social interactions. Hawaiian monk seals use terrestrial habitat to haul out for resting, and molting. Certain areas of coastline are more often favored by Hawaiian monk seals for hauling out. These favored areas may be located near preferred foraging areas, allow for relatively undisturbed periods of rest, or allow small numbers of Hawaiian monk seals to socially interact as young seals and reproductive adults. These haul-out sites are generally characterized by sandy beaches, sand spits, or low shelving reef rocks accessible to seals.
(c) Areas not included in critical habitat. Critical habitat does not include the following particular areas where they overlap with the areas described in paragraph (a) of this section:
(1) Pursuant to ESA section 3(5)(A)(i), all cliffs and manmade structures, such as docks, seawalls, piers, fishponds, roads, pipelines, boat ramps, platforms, buildings, ramparts and pilings existing within the legal boundaries on September 21, 2015.
(2) Pursuant to ESA section 4(a)(3)(B) all areas subject to the Marine Corps Base Hawaii, the Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, and the Pacific Missile Range Facility Integrated Natural Resource Management Plans.
(3) Pursuant to ESA section 4(b)(2) the following areas have been excluded from the designation: The Kingfisher Underwater Training area in marine areas off the northeast coast of Niihau; the Pacific Missile Range Facility Offshore Areas in marine areas off the western coast of Kauai; the Puuloa Underwater Training Range in marine areas outside Pearl Harbor, Oahu; and the Shallow Water Minefield Sonar Training Range off the western coast of Kahoolawe in the Maui Nui area.
(d) Maps of Hawaiian monk seal critical habitat. The following are the overview maps of Hawaiian monk seal critical habitat: