Contingency Plan for Hawaiian Monk Seal Unusual Mortality Events

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CONTENTS
Contents
Page
1. Background 1
1.1 Distribution and Habitat Use 1
1.2 Population Biology 1
1.3 Mortality Patterns 3
1.4 Unusual Mortality: Past Events 5
1.4.1 Hawaiian Monk Seal Unusual Mortality Event,
Laysan Island, 1978 5
1.4.2 Hawaiian Monk Seal Unusual Mortality Event,
Laysan Island, 2000-2001 5
1.5 Background of this Document 6
2. Federal/State Authority and Jurisdiction 6
3. The On-Site Coordinator 7
3.1 The Appointment of the On-Site Coordinator 7
3.2 Responsibilities of the Federal On-Site Coordinator 8
4. Pre-Event Planning for Rapid Response 8
4.1 Building a Response Team 8
4.2 The Administrative Support Team 9
4.3 Scientific Advisors 9
4.4 Training and Readiness 9
4.5 Establishing MOUs with Cooperators 10
4.6 Pre-Planning for Sample Analyses 10
5. Recognizing an Unusual Event 10
5.1 Guidelines for a Graduated Response 11
5.2 Protocol for Initiating Unusual Event Designation 12
6. Notification of Personnel and Agencies 12
7. A Tailored Response 12
7.1 Objectives and General Guidelines 12
7.2 Responding to an Event of Known Cause 13
7.3 Investigating an Event of Unknown Cause 14
7.4 Determining “The End” 14
7.5 Post-Event Assessment and Monitoring 15
8. Communication and Reporting 15
9. Public Health Concerns 15