Nineteen years ago, Susie Lauer of Hilo volunteered on the Big Island for the Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary’s annual Sanctuary Ocean Count.
When her grandson heard about the event, one of only two to learn about humpback whale activity in Hawaiian waters, he wanted to join her at Onekahakaha Beach Park.
“He said to me, ‘Grandma, I’m going to go count the whales,’ and I was like, ‘Are you OK?'” Lauer said.
Her grandchildren eventually moved on to other activities such as fishing and sports, but she continued to volunteer. The 73-year-old currently serves as Onekahakaha County’s field leader for the past 15 years.
It’s her way of contributing to the care of Kohola, or humpback whales.
“I felt like what I could do was get information out to people who needed to know what was going on,” Lauer said, adding that in the early 1980s, whales had never been seen in Hilo’s waters. He added that there was no such thing. “Now they’re here. People need to know how many are here.”
She joins hundreds of people who head to the shores of mainland Hawaii, excluding Kahoolawe Island, to watch for signs of humpback whales as part of the Sanctuary Ocean Count and Great Whales each year on the last Saturday of January, February and March. I’m one of the citizen scientists. Count by Pacific Whale Foundation.
The Sanctuary Ocean Count covers the Big Island, Kauai, Molokai, and Oahu, and the Great Whale Count takes place on Maui and Lanai.
Both were long-term research efforts that took place during the peak of Hawaii’s whale population. It has been synced on the same day for the past 6 years, allowing data to be collected at the same time.
On these three Saturdays from 8 a.m. to noon, volunteers will survey the ocean at more than 40 locations across the state. That includes her 10 locations on the Big Island and 10 locations on Kauai. They also record the whale’s surface behavior, including blowing, pectoral fin slapping, tail slapping, and awe-inspiring slits as the whale comes up to breathe.
On February 24, the second of this year’s three count days, volunteers tallied 2,141 humpback whale sightings across the state, including 466 in Big Island waters and 239 off Kauai. there were. A total of 2,124 sightings were recorded on January 27, including 324 off the coast of Hawaii Island and 292 in waters around Kauai.
Lauer said her group observed about 26 whales on Jan. 27 and 20 sightings on Feb. 24, including more than 30 tail swatters.
“It was just hysterical,” Lauer said. “I couldn’t believe it lasted.”
Mike Kano of Hanamaulu, Kauai (field leader in Lihue, Kauai, counting location outside Nawiliwili Harbor entrance), counted the highest number in a 15-minute period on January 27, but observed three last Saturday.
Cano said January had been a lively month, saying, “This is probably the most whales I’ve seen in January in at least the last few years.”
During count day in January 2023, volunteers observed a total of 587 humpback whales in the state. On the counting day last February, a total of 997 koholas were observed across the island.
However, these numbers may include duplicate sightings by different observers or at different times and locations throughout the day.
Several other species were also observed during surveys in January and February of this year, including the Honu (green sea turtle). Iliohoroikaua’a, or Hawaiian monk seal. Naia, or spinner dolphin. Haharua, or manta ray. and birds such as the great frigatebird. Molly, or Laysan Albatross. Nee Nee, Hawaiian Geese. `ā, or booby; Correa, or Pacific Golden Plover. more.
The third and final counting day is scheduled for March 30th.
Click here for historical data including different sites.
The annual survey helps local communities continue monitoring the marine mammals, which migrate 3,000 miles each winter from waters around Alaska, Canada and even Russia to the waters of Hawaii to mate, give birth, and raise their young. By making it possible, we are attracting the attention of the public.
“Every time we do this event, we connect with hundreds of volunteers,” said Jens Curry, chief scientist at the Pacific Whale Foundation on Maui. “It’s important to get people involved in research and passionate about studying a species (in this case humpback whales). That often leads to caring for those species and potentially supporting conservation. Because it connects you.”
Humpback whales, including the humpback whale population arriving in Hawaii, have not been considered endangered under the federal Endangered Species Act since 2016. However, this does not mean that conservation efforts are over.
Curry said there is still work to be done if the humpback whale population is to continue its recovery and maintain the upward trajectory seen over the past 40 years since the end of the whaling era. Despite a population decline in 2015 and 2016, the population has since recovered.
Lauer estimates that about 10,000 to 12,000 humpback whales pass through the Hawaiian Islands each year.
Both are annual statistics from about 30 years ago and provide important data for population monitoring efforts.
The shoreline census information collected by whale-watching volunteers is consistent and comparable to more intensive efforts by scientists, who conduct censuses and other research three to four times a day for seven to eight hours. Masu.
“It’s complementary, but it can’t replace,” Curry said.
He added that the study is unique in that volunteers simultaneously observe sea levels and count whales across the state, unlike researchers who often focus on specific regions. . Count.
As the number of whales in the water increases and so does the number of ocean users, threats to humpback whales continue to exist, such as humpback whales becoming entangled in nets and other materials, or being struck by ships.
Even global warming is affecting whales by increasing ocean temperatures, creating problems with their food sources. Additionally, breeding and birthing areas around Hawaii could be affected as seawater temperatures rise above what animals prefer.
The more the public is aware of and involved in the issue, the better the organizations designed to protect them will be able to do their jobs.
Currie said if there is something wrong with the humpback whale population and a more detailed study is needed, the ocean count provides an important early indicator and a more specialized study can begin.
“We share an environment and the ocean is their home,” he said. “So whenever you’re on the water, you need to be aware of whether humpback whales are in this area.”
Currie said getting the public involved in some science to raise awareness cannot be underestimated and that is another goal of the count. Many of the site’s leaders are also researchers who discuss the latest science with volunteers and connect with the community to share their discoveries.
Even field leaders like Lauer, who are not researchers, talk about whales with other volunteers in the field, educating them by sharing stories and facts during times when there is nothing to observe.
“This is really community engagement and a really solid community science project,” Curry said.
Being able to go to the beach, sit and observe these majestic creatures at any time of the day is special to Lauer and gives him hope for the future of humpback whales. She is also happy that she is playing a role in helping whales.
“We can bring back species from the frontier, and I think the data that we collect and pass on is contributing to that,” Lauer said, adding that if these numbers didn’t exist, the whales wouldn’t be alive. He added that he did not know whether it was true or not. It has been removed from the endangered species list.
Lauer hopes to get more volunteers involved so all 22 ocean measurement sites on the Big Island are up and running and can provide more data.
“You can contribute, too,” she said. “Sitting on the couch is just as easy as sitting on a beach chair. Step out, soak up the sun, take in the waves and sea breeze, and count the whales.”
There may be some spots available for volunteering on the final counting day at the end of March. Anyone wishing to volunteer can do so online.
Click here for more information about the marine population of the Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary. For more information on the Great Whale Count from the Pacific Whale Foundation, click here.
