RESEARCH

Our applied research projects advance global cetacean conservation and management.

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EDUCATION

Our student educational programs and activities inspire tomorrow’s ocean protectors.

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CONSERVATION

Our public policy and advocacy work mobilizes community support for ocean protection.

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5 major threats to marine animals

Our programs work to mitigate the 5 Major Threats to whales and dolphins identified through ongoing research.

VESSEL COLLISIONS WITH MARINE ANIMALS

NMFS/MMHSRP Permit #18786-06 and NMFS/MMPA Permit #21321

UNSUSTAINABLE TOURISM

MARINE PLASTIC POLLUTION

BYCATCH

CLIMATE CHANGE

Photo Credits: Shutter Stock

FIND OUT THE MANY WAYS YOU CAN GET INVOLVED

Your tax-deductible contribution helps fund ocean protection efforts across the Pacific. Mahalo for your support.

TRENDING NOW AT THE FOUNDATION

Did you know that before the use of drones, the on

Did you know that before the use of drones, the only reliable way to measure a whale was when it died?
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Most of what we know about the size of whales comes from stranded animals or from commercial whaling records. With the recent advances in drone technology, scientists can now obtain high resolution images from whales and accurately measure them using non-invasive methods.

Our research teams in Hawaii and Australia use drones to assess and understand the health and status of humpback whales. We aim to assess the body condition of populations across years to help identify any major threats affecting them. Body condition can reflect past foraging success and be used as proxy for individual fitness, reproductive success and survival. How do we do it? We launch the drone from the research vessel and fly over the whale while recording high-resolution videos. We extract suitable images from the video which then allow us to measure the whale!

Research activities conducted under research permits and following animal ethics approval. In Australia, the UAS pilot holds a CASA remote pilot license (RePL). In the USA, the UAS pilot holds FAA Part 107 authorization.

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#droneimaging #marineresearch #humpbackwhale #HerveyBay #MauiHawaii

The new year is right around the corner, kick it o

The new year is right around the corner, kick it off by setting a new type of resolution – a resolution for a cleaner environment for marine animals! If you’re a Maui resident and want to keep the coastlines clean, sign up to Adopt a Beach 🏝

For more information, click the link in our bio!

📸: Celia McGuire
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#AdoptaBeach #Maui #mauihawaii #beachcleanup

Our research findings show that daily debris accum

Our research findings show that daily debris accumulation rates on Maui’s beaches increased from an average of 16 items per 100 meters during peak lockdown to 43 items per 100 meters when restrictions eased. We plan to leverage this data to promote enhanced waste management practices and champion the implementation of highly effective waste prevention strategies for the benefit of Hawaii. 🐋🗑️♻️
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#antrhopause #marinedebris #maui #mauihawaii

Time is running out to double your donation dollar

Time is running out to double your donation dollars this #GivingTuesday! 🚨 Through midnight tonight ONLY, your generous contributions will be matched up to $100,000. Make a difference for whales, dolphins and communities like Maui that are impacted by threats to the ocean. Ocean lovers like you have already raised $21,658 of our $100,000 goal. If you haven’t made a gift yet, there’s still time to secure the future of your favorite animals and the Foundation that has worked to ensure their protection for over 40 years.

Donate for #GivingTuesday today!

📸 Rob Owen