1.6.1 The NWHI provide critical breeding and nesting
grounds for a wide variety of species. The area contains the breeding
grounds for almost the entire remaining population of the Hawaiian
monk seal, and serves as the seals’ primary haul-out, pupping,
and weaning habitat. The area also provides the breeding grounds and
primary nesting sites for approximately 90 per cent of the threatened
Hawaiian Islands green sea turtle population. Millions of Central
Pacific seabirds also congregate on these islands to breed, including
all but three of Hawaii’s 22 species of seabirds, such as the
grey-backed tern, short-tailed albatross, and the red-tailed tropicbird.
More than 99 per cent of the world’s Laysan albatrosses and
98 per cent of the world’s black-footed albatrosses return to
the NWHI each year to reproduce. For some bird species, the NWHI provide
their only breeding site.