Humpback Whale Ocean Count 2012
The Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary offers you a chance to monitor Humpback Whales from the shores of Oahu, Hawaii and Kauai. Volunteers count the number of humpback whales which can be seen around the islands over a four-hour period and record their behavior. The 2012 count will be held the last Saturday of January, February, and March from 8:00 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.
This year, on January 28, February 25, and March 31, the Sanctuary Ocean Count will be conducted at over 60 different shore sites around the islands (15 different sites around Kaua‘i). The Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary, which is jointly managed by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the State of Hawai`i, lies within the shallow warm waters surrounding the main Hawaiian Islands and constitutes one of the world’s most important humpback whale habitats.
Scientists estimate that 12,000 swim to Hawaii’s waters to mate and nurse their young, typically between September and March. Since 2006, the annual count has tracked a steady rise in the humpback whale population visiting the sanctuary. Visit Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary for details.
Humpback Whale Ocean Count 2011
The Humpback Whale Sanctuary Ocean Count offers you a chance to monitor Humpback Whales from the shores of O’ahu, Hawai’i and Kaua’i. The count is held the last Saturday of January, February, and March (during peak whale season) of each year from 8:00 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.
This year’s counts will take place at 15 different sites around Kaua‘i on January 29, February 26, and March 26. During the Ocean Count volunteers count the number of humpback whales which can be seen around the Hawaiian Islands over a four-hour period, and record data on their behavior.
Ocean Count volunteers must be pre-registered to take part in the event. On Kaua‘i, registration is being accepted by calling 246-2860, or by e-mailing whalevolunteerkauai@gmail.com. By registering to be a volunteer for the count, counters must also attend a mandatory training program that includes orientation, what to expect, duties, what volunteers need to bring and a multi-media presentation on humpback whales. Visit Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary for details.
Humpback Whale Season Ending
The first whale sighting in the Hawaiian islands for the 2009-2010 season was at the end of October, and now the time is coming to say good-bye to the humpback whales as they migrate north to Alaska for the summer. The whales need to return to cooler waters so they can feed upon the large schools of small fish that are the mainstay of their diet.
The Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary is the nation’s primary mating and calving grounds for the endangered humpback whale. The population of North Pacific humpback whales has recently been increasing about five percent each year. During the Sanctuary Ocean Count in March, volunteers spotted 1,208 humpback whales off the coast of Maui.
The Pacific Whale Foundation reported three sightings of humpback whale calves without their mothers this season. Calves may be without their mothers for a number of reasons – either the mother was accidentally separated from her calf, or she abandoned the calf after deciding it had a health problem which would not allow it to reach maturity, or that the mother died shortly after birth.
Just as the whales do not arrive all at once, they do not depart all at once. Immature whales of both sexes that are still growing and not yet ready to breed usually depart early. Mature males stay here as long as mature females are around (no surprise there). Mothers and young calves are often the last ones to leave Hawaii allowing the calves grow as fat and strong as possible before making the 3,000 mile migration. Mothers will have lost nearly 10,000 pounds by the time they return to the feeding grounds.
In 2009 the last whale sighting in Hawaiian waters occurred as late as mid June.
Humpback Whales Healthy In Hawaii
Humpback Whales are increasing their numbers in Hawaii by a healthy 6 to 7 percent each year. Humpback whales of the Northern Pacific Ocean undertake a great migration from Alaska covering about 3500 miles one way. Considered an endangered species, the Humpbacks are doing well in Hawai’i's protected waters. Now numbering about 10,000, they will mate, calve, and nurse their young in Hawaii before returning.
One way to study the population size of the humpback whales is the Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary’s annual whale count, where hundreds of volunteers go to 60 sites on the last Saturdays of January, February, and March to count whales. More than 800 volunteers showed up in January and counted whales from the shores of Oahu, Kauai, and the Big Island, with some seeing as many as 6 whales within a 15-minute interval. Here are the average numbers of whales sighted per 15-minute count period on each island:
O’ahu – 3 whales
Kaua’i – 2 whales
Big Island – 6 whales
Again on the last Saturday in February and March, volunteers will fan out along the shores of O’ahu, Hawai’i and Kaua’i for the sanctuary’s annual whale count. The count provides key population and distribution information on humpback whales around the Hawaiian Islands. The Pacific Whale Foundation will conduct its own whale count on Maui. If you would like to volunteer and be a part of this success story see Humpback Whale Ocean Count 2010.
Humpback Whale Ocean Count 2010
Each winter, a portion of the North Pacific humpback whale population migrates from their feeding grounds in Alaska to the warm waters of Hawaii to breed. The Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary is dedicated to protect humpback whales and their habitat in Hawaii. The Sanctuary Ocean Count was initiated as a means to provide Hawaii residents and visitors with the opportunity to observe humpback whales in their breeding grounds by conducting a yearly shore-based census during the peak breeding season. It also serves as a tool to supplement scientific information gathered from other research activities.
The Sanctuary Ocean Count is held concurrently on four islands (O`ahu, Kaua`i, the Big Island, and Kaho’olawe), covering 60 sites, and enlisting over 2000 volunteers. By assisting in the count, volunteers will be helping to monitor the number of humpback whales around our islands and ensure their health and safety for generations to come. The 2010 Sanctuary Ocean Count will be held on Saturday, January 30, February 27, and March 27 from 8 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.
Online registration for the islands of Hawai’i and O’ahu is available at www.sanctuaryoceancount.org.
To register by phone:
O’ahu – 397-2651 ext. 253.
Kaua’i – 246-2860.
Big Island – 1-888-559-4253, ext. 253.
