The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Fisheries announced more than $177,000 in competitive Prescott Grants have been awarded toward efforts to save monk seals, whales and dolphins in Hawaii.

For fiscal year 2018, a total of 36 grants totaling $2.8 million were awarded to recipients from 19 states from Alaska to New York that represent marine mammal stranding network partners.

In Hawaii, a total of $87,702 was awarded to The Marine Mammal Center, which runs Ke Kai Ola, the monk seal hospital and visitor center in Kailua-Kona. The grant was awarded for the continued support support of the Hawaiian Monk Seal rehabilitation program.

Another $90,000 was awarded to the University of Hawaii to support its project on stranding response and causes of mortality in Pacific Island Cetaceans.