Managing for extinction? Conflicting conservation objectives in a large marine reserve

Despite the establishment of the Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument (PMNM) as one of the world's largest no-take marine reserves, the endangered Hawaiian monk seal population within its boundaries is declining towards extinction. This study identifies high juvenile mortality in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands (NWHI) as the primary driver of this decline, contrasting with increasing populations in unprotected areas. While proposed interventions may temporarily stabilize subpopulations and preserve metapopulation structure, the long-term success hinges on understanding the underlying ecological factors causing the decline. The research highlights conflicting conservation objectives, emphasizing the need for adaptive management and ecosystem-level studies to address the paradox of declining monk seal populations within a protected marine reserve.

Gerber, L. R., Estes, J., Crawford, T. G., Peavey, L. E., & Read, A. J. (2011). Managing for extinction? Conflicting conservation objectives in a large marine reserve. Conservation Letters, 4(6), 417–422. Portico. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1755-263x.2011.00197.x