gov.noaa.nmfs.inport:28587 eng UTF8 dataset MS Excel Spreadsheet Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center 808-725-5300 1845 Wasp Blvd. Honolulu HI 96818 USA https://www.pifsc.noaa.gov WWW:LINK-1.0-http--link Website Website for this organization information 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. resourceProvider Sullivan, Mark S (808)725-5727 1845 Wasp Blvd. Honolulu HI 96818 USA mark.sullivan@noaa.gov pointOfContact 2025-12-03T01:00:28 ISO 19115-2 Geographic Information - Metadata Part 2 Extensions for imagery and gridded data ISO 19115-2:2009(E) Hawaiian monk seal sighting and human-seal interaction data extracted from Instagram postings to support NMFS monk seal recovery efforts in the main Hawaiian Islands, from 2014-10-01 to 2015-09-30. HMSRP Hawaiian Monk Seals on Social Media 2018-02-23 publication NOAA/NMFS/EDM 28587 https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/inport/item/28587 WWW:LINK-1.0-http--link Full Metadata Record View the complete metadata record on InPort for more information about this dataset. information tableDigital Public information on social media platform Instagram. As social media platforms develop, they potentially provide valuable information for wildlife researchers and managers. NOAA’s Hawaiian Monk Seal Research Program (HMSRP) is exploring how social media can help scientists understand the biology, ecology and threats to this endangered species. By using the media sharing and social networking service Instagram, we extracted pertinent data while disseminating information and inspiring support for Hawaiian monk seals. Specifically, we investigated how Instagram could: 1) expand our normal data set by identifying individual animals not detected by standard methods, 2) help categorize type and severity of human interactions, 3) provide early warning of concerning seal behaviors, and 4) help assess public perceptions of monk seals. We searched the keyword #monkseal examining a total of 640 public posts from a possible 8,808 available. From these, seals were individually identifiable in 80 posts representing 15.6% of the subpopulation and approximately 108 human-seal interaction events ranging from close approaches to physical interactions. The nature of comments on posts indicated that the general public attitude towards seals is less than 1% negative and that self-policing sometimes occurs on inappropriate posts. Besides gaining information, we were also able to advise the public about seals of concern and solicit information to aid HMSRP’s emergency response. Maximizing benefits on social media requires consideration and tact, especially when promoting a collective mind-shift like responsibly coexisting with wildlife. This relatively new tool has the potential to yield vast amounts of data and soon, developments will streamline data collection, utilization and sharing. Science and technology continue to evolve, and wildlife programs should take advantage of progressive and broadly inclusive tools like social media for the benefit of species conservation. HMSRP is exploring how social media can help scientists understand the biology, ecology and threats to this endangered species. By using the media sharing and social networking service Instagram, we extracted pertinent data while disseminating information and inspiring support for Hawaiian monk seals. completed Sullivan, Mark S (808)725-5727 1845 Wasp Blvd. Honolulu HI 96818 USA mark.sullivan@noaa.gov pointOfContact Barbieri, Michelle M 808-725-5734 1845 Wasp Blvd. Honolulu HI 96818 USA michelle.barbieri@noaa.gov pointOfContact Sullivan, Mark S (808)725-5727 1845 Wasp Blvd. Honolulu HI 96818 USA mark.sullivan@noaa.gov custodian asNeeded Social Media theme DOC/NOAA/NMFS/PIFSC > Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center, National Marine Fisheries Service, NOAA, U.S. Department of Commerce dataCentre Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Data Center Keywords 2017-04-24 publication 8.5 Earth Science Data and Information System, Earth Science Projects Division, Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC), National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) https://forum.earthdata.nasa.gov/app.php/tag/GCMD%2BKeywords GCMD Keyword Forum Page Global Change Master Directory (GCMD). 2025. GCMD Keywords, Version 22. Greenbelt, MD: Earth Science Data and Information System, Earth Science Projects Division, Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC), National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). URL (GCMD Keyword Forum Page): https://forum.earthdata.nasa.gov/app.php/tag/GCMD+Keywords information custodian HMSRP Hawaiian Monk Seal Anthropogenic Interactions Metadata Portfolio project InPort 2015-11-10T00:00:00 None user otherRestrictions Cite As: Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center, [Date of Access]: Hawaiian monk seal sighting and human-seal interaction data extracted from Instagram postings to support NMFS monk seal recovery efforts in the main Hawaiian Islands, from 2014-10-01 to 2015-09-30. [Data Date Range], https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/inport/item/28587. NOAA provides no warranty, nor accepts any liability occurring from any incomplete, incorrect, or misleading data, or from any incorrect, incomplete, or misleading use of the data. It is the responsibility of the user to determine whether or not the data is suitable for the intended purpose. otherRestrictions Use Constraints: public unclassified NOAA Data Management Plan (DMP) NOAA/NMFS/EDM 28587 https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/inportserve/waf/noaa/nmfs/pifsc/dmp/pdf/28587.pdf WWW:LINK-1.0-http--link NOAA Data Management Plan (DMP) NOAA Data Management Plan for this record on InPort. information crossReference eng; US oceans none -180 -150 10 30 Hawaiian Archipelago, Pacific Region | Currentness: Ground Condition 2014-10-01 2015-09-30 false eng false Data Table Social_Media 2018-07-27 publication CSV - Comma Separated Values (Text) Sullivan, Mark S (808)725-5727 1845 Wasp Blvd. Honolulu HI 96818 USA mark.sullivan@noaa.gov distributor Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center 808-725-5360 1845 Wasp Blvd. Honolulu HI 96818 USA pifsc.info@noaa.gov https://www.pifsc.noaa.gov WWW:LINK-1.0-http--link Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center Website Pacific Island Fisheries Science Center homepage information 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. distributor https://oceanwatch.pifsc.noaa.gov/xfer/PIFSC_PIRO_bulk_data_download_InPort_28587.tgz WWW:LINK-1.0-http--link PSD_HMSRP_social_media.csv This accession contains a table of Hawaiian monk seal sighting and human-seal interaction data extracted from Instagram postings during the period 2014-10-01 to 2015-09-30. Postings by the public were searched using the keyword #monkseal and analyzed to 1) expand seal sighting data by identifying individual animals not detected by standard research methods, 2) help categorize the type and severity of human - seal interactions that are occurring, 3) provide early warning to researchers and managers if an individual seal is developing concerning behaviors, and 4) help assess public perceptions towards monk seals. These data are used to support NMFS monk seal recovery efforts in the main Hawaiian Islands. download dataset Representativeness Current. On public social media. Accuracy Data from public is always questionable. Analytical Accuracy Analytical accuracy was not measured. Data may change as public owners see fit. Accurate at time of collection. Bias mitigated by data leader 10/1/2014 - 9/30/2015 Search internet using keywords Sullivan, Mark S (808)725-5727 mark.sullivan@noaa.gov processor Categorize postings with monk seal content and enter into spreadsheet Sullivan, Mark S (808)725-5727 mark.sullivan@noaa.gov processor Public postings on the internet Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center originator