More than 552 volunteers gathered data from the shores of Oahu, Kauai and Hawaii islands this weekend during the first humpback whale count of the season.
The volunteers collected data from 51 sites statewide on Saturday. From Hawaii Island’s 16 sites, volunteers counted between 8 a.m. and 12:15 p.m., 474 adults and 97 calves. The most favorable time period was between 8 and 8:15 a.m., when volunteers counted 65 adults and eight calves from the island’s shores.
Statewide, volunteers saw 258 whales during the 8:30 a.m. to 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 the vog and the white caps from high surf.
The Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary Ocean is conducted three times annually during peak whale season, which typically runs from January through March, 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.
Two more Sanctuary Ocean Counts are scheduled for Feb. 27 and March 26. Interested volunteers may register online at http://sanctuaryoceancount.org. Registration will close one week prior to the event date.
Info: http://hawaiihumpbackwhale.noaa.gov or call 725-5912