HONOLULU -- The Hawaiian monk seal will become the official state mammal of Hawaii.

Today, there was a ceremonial signing of the bill designating the seal as the state mammal.

Volunteers who count and protect the seals were able to convince the legislature to pass the bill.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration said it will help with efforts to save the monk seal.

"As the state mammal it will help us with our awareness campaign, it will engage children. It will, hopefully, identify funding at various levels, both private and state and agency level," NOAA Marine Mammal Response coordinator David Schofield said.

The Hawaiian monk seal is one of the world's most endangered species. There are about 1,100 left. Those numbers have averaged a 4-percent decline a year.

However, there is some optimism, with four monk seal pups born so far this year on Oahu.