A adult humpback whale breaches in the waters off Kekaha Kai State Park in January 2010. Up to 12,000 whales spend the winter months in Hawaii waters. (Photo special to Hawaii 24/7 by Michael Darden).

MEDIA RELEASE

Aaaaaaaaand they’re back!

On Monday (Sept. 26) morning, the Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary received word from Sea Quest tour operator Captain Tony Roensch of a humpback whale yearling in Honaunau Bay.

The boat was witness to two tail slaps, the first confirmed whale sighting this season.

NOAA is reminding boaters and other ocean users to keep a safe distance from these annual visitors to Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary.

Endangered humpback whales are protected in Hawaii. Federal regulations prohibit approaching within 100 yards of whales when on the water, and 1,000 feet when operating an aircraft.

These and other regulations apply to all ocean users, including vessel operators, kayakers, paddle boarders, windsurfers, swimmers and divers throughout the Hawaiian Islands.

“It’s important for everyone to be extra vigilant during whale season, for their own safety and the protection of these magnificent animals,” said Paul Wong, operations coordinator, Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary.

Humpback whale season in Hawaii generally runs from November through May, although whales may be encountered in limited numbers during other months.

As many as 12,000 humpback whales winter in Hawaiian waters each year.

The whales attract wildlife enthusiasts, but they also pose safety hazards to ocean users when the 45-ton marine mammals surface, breach or slap their massive tails or flippers. Vessel-whale collisions can also result in death or injury to boaters and whales.

Whale calves are vulnerable to vessel strikes because they are difficult to see as they rest just under the surface. Young whales also must surface more frequently.

Ed Lyman, marine mammal response manager for the sanctuary, said people like Roensch are a “great resource” in helping monitor humpback whales in the sanctuary.

“By locating distressed animals, reporting and providing the initial documentation and assessment on the animal, ocean users are the foundation of our conservation efforts,” Lyman said.

If you come across an injured or entangled marine mammal, maintain the required safe distance and call the NOAA Marine Mammal Hotline at 1-888-256-9840 immediately, or the U.S. Coast Guard on channel 16.

If reporting a suspected approach zone violation, call the NOAA Fisheries Enforcement Hotline at 1-800-853-1964.

Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary is administered jointly by a partnership of NOAA’s Office of National Marine Sanctuaries and the state Department of Land and Natural Resources. The sanctuary works to protect humpback whales through research, education, conservation and stewardship.

NOAA’s mission is to understand and predict changes in the Earth’s environment, from the depths of the ocean to the surface of the sun, and to conserve and manage our coastal and marine resources.

— Find out more:
www.noaa.gov
http://hawaiihumpbackwhale.noaa.gov