Press Watch — Honolulu Advertiser, 11 April 2009
Federal funds will also provide jobs for ocean scientists
Congress has allocated $5.7 million — the largest single-year sum to date — for Hawaiian monk seal recovery efforts.
Next to corporate bailouts and economic stimulus plans, the amount pales. But conservation managers say it will make a great difference for the critically endangered animals, whose numbers have dropped below 1,200 in the wild.
“My reaction initially was jubilation,” said Charles Littnan, lead scientist for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Fisheries’ monk seal research program. “Then immediately comes the weight of responsibility — making sure that we spend the money efficiently, properly and to maximize impact on the seals.” […]