Survey for Individuals (short version)

Hawaiian Monk Seal

Ilio holo ikauaua

Public Opinion Survey

Survey for Individuals (Short Version)

Your participation in this survey is voluntary. Any material that might identify you will be destroyed at the end of the study.

OMB Control #: XXXX-XXXX

Expiration Date: xx/xx/xxxx

This survey is being conducted to gather information on the public’s knowledge and opinions about wild Hawaiian monk seals (Ilio holo ikauaua; Monachus schauinslani). The questions in this survey are about the Hawaiian monk seal in the wild rather than monk seals in public display facilities (i.e., zoos and aquaria). Throughout this survey all references to monk seals mean Hawaiian monk seals. The results of the survey will be used to help develop public outreach activities for wild Hawaiian monk seal conservation and to help develop and assess management strategies for dealing with human-seal interactions. Your participation will help provide valuable information.

1. Have you ever personally observed a monk seal in the wild in Hawai‘i (outside of zoos and aquaria)?

Yes (Go to Q 2)

No (Go to Q 3)

2. If you have observed monk seals in the wild, how many different times have you seen them in the past five years? (Mark one)

1 time

2-5 times

6-10 times

More than 10 times

3. If you have a monk seal in the wild, where? (Mark all that apply)

	Seal was on the beach		I was on a commercial tour
	Seal was in the water		I was in a personal /non-commercial boat or other type of watercraft
	I was on the beach		Don’t know
	I was in the water (swimming, snorkeling, diving, etc.)		Other (Please describe)

WHAT DO PEOPLE KNOW ABOUT MONK SEALS?

4. What is your level of knowledge about the Hawaiian monk seal?

No knowledge

Small amount

Average amount

Large amount

5. Do you think the population of Hawaiian monk seals in general has been increasing or decreasing over the past twenty years?

Significant decrease

Slight decrease

Stable (neither increasing nor decreasing)

Slight increase

Significant increase

Not sure

Hawaiian monk seals are legally protected under Federal and State laws.

6. Prior to this survey, were you aware of any legal protections in place for the Hawaiian monk seal?

Yes

No

7. Do you think it is dangerous for people to swim with or be in close contact in the water with monk seals?

	Yes		Not sure
	No		Other (Please describe)

8. If you saw a monk seal would you be likely to report it?

	Yes		Not sure
	No		Other (Please describe)

9. Do you know which authorities to report monk seal sightings to?

Yes (Please describe)

No

10. People have different opinions about what is considered appropriate behavior around wildlife. Which of the following, if any, do you consider appropriate behavior regarding monk seals? (Mark all that apply)

	Viewing monk seals from 100 ft away
	Viewing monk seals from 10 ft away
	Approaching monk seals within 10 ft on land
	Touching monk seals
	Feeding monk seals
	Swimming close to monk seals
	Shooting at or around monk seals
	Photographing monk seals
	Fishing around monk seals
	Yelling, or making other very loud noises around monk seals
	Trying to scare monk seals away
	Allowing dogs to approach and/or interact with monk seals

11. Do you or any family members in your household fish?

	Yes
	No (Go to Q 13)

12. Do you think that if monk seals are present in an area where you are fishing, you catch less fish?

	Yes		Not sure
	No		Other (Please describe)

When monk seals haul out onto beaches that people frequent, an area around the monk seal is often roped off to ensure people do not try to get too close.

13. Do you agree with current practice of closing a portion of the beach surrounding monk seals when they are present?

	Yes		Not sure
	No		Other (Please describe)

14. Would one of the signs below, if placed near a monk seal, be likely to convince you not to disturb the seal?

	Yes (If yes, please mark the one that would work best)
	No
	Not sure (If not sure, please mark the sign you prefer)
	Both signs would be equally effective

All personal information will be destroyed at the end of the study.

15. Which statement best describes your living situation.

	I am a permanent resident of Hawai‘i		I am a first-time visitor to Hawai‘i
	I am part-time residents of Hawai‘i		I am a repeat visitor to Hawai‘i

16. What is your ethnicity?

	Hispanic or Latino
	Not Hispanic or Latino

17. What is your race? (Mark all that apply)

	Asian		Native Hawaiian
	American Indian or Alaska Native		Other Pacific Islander
	Black or African American		White

18. What is the highest level of education you have attained?

	Some high school or less
	High school diploma or equivalent
	Some college, no degree
	Two year degree (AA, AS) or technical school
	Four year college graduate (BA, BS)
	Some graduate work but did not receive a graduate degree
	Graduate degree (MA, MS, PhD, JD, MD, etc.)

Thank you for taking the time to complete this survey. Your participation is greatly appreciated! Please use the space below to provide any additional comments.

This survey is funded by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, National Marine Fisheries Service. Public reporting burden for this collection of information is estimated at 5 minutes, including time for reviewing instructions, answering all questions and returning the survey to the administrator. Please send comments regarding this burden estimate or any other suggestions for reducing this burden to Jennifer Metz, National Marine Fisheries Service, Outreach and Education Specialist, Protected Resources Division, NOAA Fisheries, Pacific Islands Regional Office, 1601 Kapiolani Blvd., Suite 1110, Honolulu, HI 96814-0047. All responses will be protected and will not be released for public use except in aggregate statistical form (and without providing and personally identifying characteristics). Notwithstanding any other provision of the law, no person is required to respond to, nor shall any person be subject to a penalty for failure to comply with, a collection of information subject to the requirements of the Paperwork Reduction Act, unless that collection of information displays a currently valid OMB Control Number.