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- Abundance, Survival, Recruitment and Realized Growth Rates
- Calving Rates and Intervals of East Australian Female Humpback Whales
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- Dynamics of extralimital feedingby humpback whales off Eden, NSW
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- Rate of Interchange Between East Australia and West Australia Humpback Whales
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- Interaction of Small Cetaceans with Artisanal Fisheries in Machalilla National Park
- Population, Distribution and Abundance of Humpback Whales and other Cetaceans in Machalilla National Park
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Hawaii Research
Pacific Whale Foundation's research labs are located at our headquarters on Maui, overlooking Ma'alaea Bay. Our labs hold our library of more than 6,000 individually identified marine mammals, including humpback whales, false killer whales and dolphins. Ongoing analysis of new photoidentification data takes place in our labs year-round. Our offices are also located just footsteps away from Ma'alaea Harbor, the departure point for many of Pacific Whale Foundation's ecotours. With our Whale & Dolphin Tracker Program, we are able to gather data from all of our vessels' sightings of whales and dolphins.
Our current research studies in Hawaii include the following. (Please click on the name of the study to review additional details.)
Distribution of Odontocetes in Maui County Waters Based on Platform of Opportunity Data
To understand year-round distribution of odontocetes (toothed whales and dolphins) in the four island region of Maui County using historical data collected by Pacific Whale Foundation's eco-tour vessels during regular operations.
To determine distribution and movement patterns of odontocetes as well as site fidelity and association patterns of known individuals in the four island region of Maui County waters.
Social Structure of False Killer Whales in Maui County Waters Based on Photo-Identification Data
To photo-identify as many false killer whales using the Maui County Four-Island Area as possible in order to understand group cohesion and stability, age structure, reproductive rates and association patterns.
To photo-identify as many false killer whales using the Maui County Four-Island Area as possible in order to understand group cohesion and stability, age structure, reproductive rates and association patterns.
Surprise Encounters With Humpback Whales
Surprise encounters, i.e., where boats unexpectedly encounter humpback whales, have been on the rise in Maui waters possibly because the number of whales coming back to winter here has been increasing. Our goal is to understand if there are specific factors that influence the probability of an encounter occurring, above and beyond the increasing number of whales. Surprise encounters and near missed could also be used as proxies for ship collisions.
Surprise encounters, i.e., where boats unexpectedly encounter humpback whales, have been on the rise in Maui waters possibly because the number of whales coming back to winter here has been increasing. Our goal is to understand if there are specific factors that influence the probability of an encounter occurring, above and beyond the increasing number of whales. Surprise encounters and near missed could also be used as proxies for ship collisions.
To develop a database of known photo-identified individuals.
To use citizen science to engage members of the public and promote environmental stewardship, while contributing toward a long-term humpback whale sighting dataset in Maui.
