Scientists Seek Approval to Kill Sharks

Federal scientists want permission to kill Galapagos sharks in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands in an effort to save the endangered Hawaiian monk seal. Scientists argue that the monk seal is globally endangered but the sharks are not.

HONOLULU -- Federal scientists want permission to kill Galapagos sharks in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands in an effort to save the endangered Hawaiian monk seal.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration proposes to kill up to 10 sharks this summer inside the Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument, where a majority of monk seals live.

More than 140 endangered Hawaiian monk seal pups have been killed by aggressive Galapagos sharks at French Frigate Shoals in the past decade, according to the proposal.

Read more