The monk seal is woven into the tapestry of human history. In ancient Greek culture, the monk seal—because of its love for the sea and the sun—was believed to be protected by Poseidon and Apollo. The image of a monk seal adorns the earliest of minted coins, dating back to 500 BC, thus elevating it as an ancient symbol of good fortune.

Despite the unique cultural role played by this shy species, humans have pushed it to the brink of extinction. Clubbed to death for their meat, poached for their oil and skins, and disturbed in their breeding grounds, the monk seals face serious challenges if they are to survive. Fortunately, the two remaining extant species have drawn conservation attention.

The Hawaiian monk seal (Monachus schauinslandi)
The Hawaiian monk seal was declared an endangered species in November 1976 and as such receive protection under the Endangered Species Act as well as the Marine Mammal Protection Act. These Acts strictly prohibit the killing, capture or harassing of monk seals.

Additional information about the Hawaiian monk seal is provided at the following websites:

• Hawaiian monk seal cam at the Waikiki Aquarium
• Hawaiian monk seal fact sheet
• Hawaiian monk seal fact sheet

The Mediterranean monk seal (Monachus monachus)
The Mediterranean monk seal is critically endangered. The Mediterranean monk seal faces pressures similar to that of the Hawaiian monk seal including hunting by humans as well as injury and death due to motorised vessels. Despite its listing on the IUCN Red List, it is often killed by fishermen who view the species as a pest that competes for fish supplies.

The Carribean monk seal (Monachus tropicalis)
The Caribbean monk seal, declared extinct in 1996, once inhabited the Caribbean Sea, Gulf of Mexico, and the waters off the coast of northern South America. The Caribbean monk seal was last documented in 1952 at Seranilla Bank between Jamaica and Honduras.