HONOLULU — Beginning Monday, 2023 Sanctuary Ocean Count volunteers must register online at https://oceancount.org/.
Since March 2020, volunteer participation has also been limited as the program reverted to an in-person nature after the COVID-19 pandemic.
Gene Sousa, Hawaii Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary Program Specialist, said, “We don’t have full-scale volunteer training like we did pre-pandemic.” .”
The Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary in the Hawaiian Islands is scheduled for January 28, February 25 and March 25 this year, coinciding with when humpback whales are in Hawaii’s waters for breeding and calving. We welcome volunteers to count. Sanctuary Ocean Counts are held on Oahu, Kauai, and Hawaii Island. A similar effort is underway on Maui by the Pacific Whale Foundation.
On Kauai, counting volunteers use 12 viewing locations, including Princeville Cliffs, Kilauea Point National Wildlife Refuge, Kapaa Lookout, Ahukini State Recreation Pier, Ninini Point Lighthouse, and Mahaulepu. I’m here. – US Navy Pacific Missile Range facilities at Makawehi, Makahuena Point, Poipu Beach Park, Kaiwa Point, Port Allen and Barking Sands.
During the tally period from 8:00 am to noon, tally participants tally humpback whale sightings (from the shoreline) and record humpback whale behavior on the surface. Participants also note other species observed such as birds, turtles, dolphins and other whales.
Sanctuary Ocean Count is a flagship educational outreach and citizen science project coordinated by the Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary of the Hawaiian Islands. Since its inception in 1996, the count has helped promote public awareness of humpback whales, sanctuaries and coastal whale watching opportunities statewide.
The Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary of the Hawaiian Islands is managed by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Office of National Marine Sanctuaries and the Department of Land and Natural Resources’ Office of Fisheries Resources, which migrates annually to humpback whales and their habitat in Hawaiian waters. is protecting Mate, deliver and nurse their young.
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Dennis Fujimotostaff writers and photographers can be reached at 808-245-0453 or dfujimoto@thegardenisland.com.