[Return to Volunteer Main Page] Project Information Volunteer Information Site Leader Information Site Descriptions Project Results Photo Gallery Sanctuary Ocean Count 8:00 a.m. - 12:15 p.m. January 26, 2008 February 23, 2008 March 29, 2008 The Sanctuary Ocean Count Handbook is now available in pdf format. (Large File - 1.4 MB) click here Sanctuary Ocean Count volunteers at the Kualoa site spot a blow on the surface. The goal of the Sanctuary Ocean Count is to record the number of humpback whales sighted from various shore sites around the islands in a four-hour period. Not only has this proven to be a fun volunteer activity for residents and visitors, but it also helps to provide important population and distribution information on humpback whales around the Hawaiian Islands. The Sanctuary Ocean Count takes place on the islands of Hawai`i, Kaua`i, and O`ahu. The Ocean Count is also conducted on Kaho`olawe by the Kaho`olawe Island Reserve Commision. The Great Whale Count on Maui is conducted independently by the Pacific Whale Foundation. Counts will be held on the last Saturday in January, February and March. Data from the counts will provide the Sanctuary with important information regarding humpback whale distribution over the course of the whale season. Volunteers turn out in full force at Diamond Head lookout. Both site leaders and general volunteers are being sought for all islands. Two site leaders will be needed for each site. Site leaders will be responsible for serving as the point of contact for the volunteers at their site, coordinating the data collection of whale sightings, and handling any media inquiries at their site. Because site leaders are an essential part of the count, they will be required to participate on all three days and attend a training session on data collection procedures. For their efforts, they will receive a free Sanctuary Ocean Count t-shirt. Of course, the count cannot be done without the help of enthusiastic volunteers. If you are interested in joining us for a morning of whale watching, either as a general volunteer or site leader, please call our offices to register. Registration for site leaders begins each November and general volunteer registration begins each December. Calls for the Big Island count will be taken at our O`ahu office through a toll-free number. BIG ISLAND: 1-888-55-WHALE ext. 253 KAUA`I: 246-2860 O`AHU: 397-2651 ext. 253  As always, we are encouraged by the growing number of enthusiastic volunteers for the Sanctuary Ocean Count and we look forward to seeing you out there counting whales!   [top] Revised by the HIHWNMS web team on April 04, 2007. URL: http://hawaiihumpbackwhale.noaa.gov/volunteer_program/ocean_count.html.