February is peak humpback whale season in Hawaii and Malia Chow, superintendent of the Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary, is reminding boaters to keep a safe distance from these annual visitors. Vessel-whale collisions can result in death or injury to whales and boaters.
February is peak humpback whale season in Hawaii and Malia Chow, superintendent of the Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary, is reminding boaters to keep a safe distance from these annual visitors. Vessel-whale collisions can result in death or injury to whales and boaters.
Whales are now here in large numbers, so it is important for everyone to be extra vigilant for their own safety and for the protection of the whales, Chow said in a statement. Two confirmed whale-vessel contacts have been reported in the state so far this season. Ocean users are encouraged to provide information about distressed animals to aid in the sanctuary’s monitoring and conservation efforts.
Boaters are reminded to post a lookout at all times throughout the year and maintain a “safe” speed. Whale calves are especially vulnerable to vessel strikes because they are difficult to see as they rest just under the surface of the water and surface more frequently.
Humpback whale season generally runs through May, although whales can be encountered in limited numbers during other months.
Mariners are asked to report any collisions with whales, or injured or entangled whales to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration by calling the 24-hour hotline at 1-888-256-9840.
The following guidelines are suggested by the sanctuary to help reduce vessel-whale collisions:
• Keep a sharp lookout. Look for whales and other hazards.
• Watch your speed. Research shows speeds of 10 knots or less to reduce frequency and injuries of collisions.
• Stay at the helm. Always keep your hands on the wheel and the throttle.
• Keep your distance. Once you’ve sighted a whale, stay at least 100 yards away as required by law.
Humpback whales are an endangered species protected by the Endangered Species Act, the Marine Mammal Protection Act, Hawaii state law and the marine sanctuary. It is illegal to approach a humpback whale closer than 100 yards by sea and 1,000 feet by air.
The sanctuary, which is co-managed by the NOAA and the state Department of Land and Natural Resources, was designated to protect humpback whales and their habitat in Hawaii.
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2016 Sanctuary Ocean Count
More than 552 volunteers gathered data from the shores of Oahu, Kauai and the Big Island during the first event of the 2016 Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary Ocean Count.
The count is conducted three times per year during peak whale season and is a shore-based census that provides snapshot data on humpback whales. Participants tally humpback whale sightings and document the animals’ surface behavior during the survey.
Volunteers collected data from 51 sites statewide Jan. 30. A total of 258 whales were seen during the 8:30-8:45 a.m. time period, the most of any time period throughout the day’s count. Weather conditions were favorable for spotting whales across many sites; however, some sites were affected by the haze from vog and white caps from high surf.
Two more counts are scheduled — the next Feb. 27 and another March 26. Interested volunteers can register online at http://sanctuaryoceancount.org. Additional information is available on the sanctuary’s website at http://hawaiihumpbackwhale.noaa.gov or by calling 808-725-5912. Volunteers are required to register prior to participating. Registration closes one week prior to the event date.