The Annual Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary Ocean Count

And, once again, they are looking for volunteers to help with this year’s count.  This effort has been an on-going project since 2002 and helps in determining the overall health of the humpback whale population in the Pacific.  The annual sanctuary ocean count has shown a an annual increase in population of approximately 7%.

If you’re going to be in Hawaii at the end of January, February, or March, you can participate in this fun and enlightening sanctuary ocean count by volunteering a few hours of your time.

The 2012 Sanctuary Ocean Count will be held on Saturday January 28th, February 25th, and March 31th.

The sanctuary, which is managed by NOAA, protects humpback whales and their habitat in Hawaiian waters.  The Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary was created by Congress in 1992, to protect humpback whales and their habitat in Hawaii.  The sanctuary, which lies within the shallow (less than 600 feet), warm waters surrounding the main Hawaiian islands, constitutes one of  the world’s most important humpback whale habitats.  The Sanctuary Education Center is located in Kihei, Maui, and is open Monday thru Friday, 10:00 am to 3:00 pm,  if you happen to be in the area.

Maui Office and Sanctuary Education Center
726 South Kihei Road
Kihei, Hawai`i 96753
Phone: (808) 879-2818 or toll free 1-800-831-4888

Online registration to participate in this year’s Sanctuary Ocean Count is now available for the islands of Hawaii, Oahu, and Kauai.

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Sanctuary Ocean Count Volunteers Wanted!

Volunteers count the number of humpback whales which can be seen around the islands over a four-hour period and record their behavior. This year, the Sanctuary Ocean Count will be conducted at over 60 different shore sites around the islands of Hawai‘i, Kaua‘i, and O‘ahu (see online site descriptions). Counts will be conducted the last Saturday of January, February, and March. Select the date(s) you would like to take part in and register today!

Online registration for this year’s Sanctuary Ocean Count is now available for the islands of Hawaii, Oahu, and Kauai.

Space at each site is limited and online registration will not be possible for those sites that have 0 spaces available. To register for Pyramid Rock or Mokapu Point on Oahu, please E-mail them at info@sanctuaryoceancount.org

You can also support the Sanctuary Ocean Count by purchasing a 2012 t-shirt from the National Marine Sanctuary Foundation.

This year’s design is the work of Stephanie Chang DESIGN INK.

t-shirt from the National Marine Sanctuary Foundation. Proceeds benefit the Sanctuary Ocean Count project.t-shirt from the National Marine Sanctuary Foundation. Proceeds benefit the Sanctuary Ocean Coun

Order Yours Today!

 

Pacific Whale Foundation

You may have noticed that Maui is not listed as a participating location for the annual sanctuary ocean count.  That’s because a whale count on Maui is conducted independently by the Pacific Whale Foundation each February.  While they do not sign up volunteers for their whale counting, they do offer volunteer opportunities for those on vacation who would like to help out with protecting the fragile eco-system on Maui.