Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale - Science

SPLASH had better results than anticipated in many regions. The sanctuary, in partnership with State of Hawai`i Department of Land and Natural Resources, coordinated seven teams in Hawai`i, while conducting its own fieldwork on Penguin Bank and assisting with Hawai`i Island, Maui and Kaua`i.

SPLASH completed its final field season in 2006. Between 2004 and 2006, researchers in Hawai`i encountered 3,624 groups of whales, which resulted in the identification of 8,037 individuals. Researchers collected 15,252 images for use in photo identification and human impact analysis, 5,689 fluke IDs, and 2032 biopsies over the project’s duration.

The following groups were contracted by the sanctuary to conduct SPLASH research in Hawai`i (listed by island):

Hawai`i Marine Mammal Consortium was formed in 1999 by a group of scientists who share an interest in marine mammal research, education, and conservation in the Hawaiian Islands and have a strong commitment to help island communities value, understand, and protect Hawai`i’s marine environment. Board members include: Christine Gabriele, Adam Frankel, Suzanne Yin, and Susan Rickards. (http://www.hmmc.org)

Kaua`i

Marine Mammal Research Consultants (MMRC) was created by Joe Mobley in 1993 in order to perform aerial surveys of marine mammals living in Hawaiian waters. The majority of MMRC’s survey and consulting efforts have been aimed at assessing the reactions of humpback whales and other cetaceans to underwater noise (e.g., ATOC program; US Navy underwater training ranges). Over the past 10 years, MMRC has accumulated population data on a total of 17 indigenous cetacean species.

Hawaii Association for Marine Education and Research, Inc.: Mark Deakos

HAMER was founded in 2004, and offers scientific expertise to conduct field research on, and educate about, Hawaii's marine wildlife. This research and understanding is the primary means for the proper management and protection of these species.

Maui

The Center for Whale Studies founded by researchers Mark and Debbie Ferrari, is a non-profit organization dedicated to the study and conservation of marine mammals and preservation of the marine environment. Developing innovative, non-invasive techniques to study living whales in their natural habitat, the Ferraris have continued to conduct a long-term study of humpback whales in Hawai`i since 1975. The Center for Whale Studies has shed light on essential facts on the life history, behavior, and reproductive cycle of humpback whales.

Hawai`i Whale Research Foundation: Dan Salden

The Hawai`i Whale Research Foundation has been researching humpback whales in Hawai`i since 1988. HWRF's mission includes researching marine mammals, particularly long-term social affiliations and competitive group behaviors, and serving as an educational outlet to the public and community. Dr. Salden, founder and research director is Emeritus Professor at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville and has had over 25 years of field experience with whales. His principal focus has been on long-term social affiliation patterns, particularly during the winter breeding/calving months in Hawai`i.

The Dolphin Institute: Adam Pack (with Lou Herman)

The Kewalo Basin Marine Mammal Laboratory (KBMML) pioneered the scientific study of humpback whales in Hawaiian waters in 1975, and has conducted its studies every year since. KBMML has produced over 60 scientific publications on humpback whale biology and behavior. Dr. Pack, vice president and treasurer, specializes in the behavior, ecology, and comparative cognition of dolphins, whales, and sea lions. He is also a graduate affiliate faculty member at the University of Hawai`i. (www.dolphin-institute.org)

Whale Trust: Meagan Jones (with Jim Darling and Flip Nicklin)

Whale Trust is dedicated to bridging marine research with environmental education and conservation programs related to whales and their natural environment. Ongoing research programs in Hawai`i focus on the social function of humpback whale songs and the reproductive behavior and mating strategies of female humpback whales. Executive director Meagan Jones is a doctoral candidate in Environmental Studies at Antioch New England Graduate School. She has had over ten years of experience linking scientific research with education programs and won a national award from the National Marine Educator’s Association in 1997.

O`ahu

Founded in 1998, Oceanwide Science Institute (OSI) is a Hawai`i-based non-profit organization specializing in issues related to marine research, conservation, and education. Dr. Lammers, president and co-founder of OSI, received his Ph.D. in Zoology from the University of Hawai`i. His research interest focuses primarily on marine bioacoustics and he has worked on issues affecting corals, fish, turtles, dolphins, and whales in Hawai`i, Florida, California, and Denmark. (http://oceanwidescience.org/index.html)

Penguin Bank

David Mattila, the Science and Rescue Coordinator for the Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary has studied humpback whales since 1978. Mattila was one of the coordinators instrumental in the conception and completion of the Years of the North Atlantic Humpback (YONAH), the largest international whale research project ever attempted, prior to SPLASH. In addition to receiving the `Ocean Hero Award’ from the Smithsonian in 1994, and an Environmental Hero Award from NOAA, Mattila has served as an advisor to the Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary, the Silver Bank National Marine Sanctuary, and the Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary.

In addition, several individuals and research groups contributed opportunistically to the SPLASH project. These include:

SPLASH in Hawai`i