"Northern elephant seals (Mirounga angustirostris) at five islands in the Southern California Bight (SCB) were counted during 1981-2001 to monitor status and trends of the population. Counts, stratified by areas within each island, were made during winter breeding season at Santa Barbara Island (1984-2001), San Miguel Island (1985-2001), San Nicolas Island (1988-2001), and Santa Rosa Island (1990-2001) and year-round at San Clemente Island (1981- 2001). At Santa Barbara Island the number of births declined at an average annual rate of -4.8 percent from 1984-2001 (R2 = 0.20, slope = -0.05, P = 0.08). At San Clemente Island the number of births increased at an average annual rate of 13.4 percent from 1982-2001 (R2 = 0.506, slope = 0.126, P