Community Science Monitoring

Community science is the vital collaboration between researchers and the public to execute scientific projects and collect information for ongoing studies. The goal of these projects is to engage members of the public in scientific data collection to supplement our systematic research studies, while providing educational opportunities and low-cost alternatives for monitoring whales, dolphins, and marine debris. These initiatives build awareness of key issues relating to marine conservation and wildlife protection while inspiring a greater commitment to create positive change. 

  • Project Partners

    Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary

    PacWhale Eco-Adventures Hawaiʻi

    Pacific Whale Foundation Eco-Adventures Australia

    NOAA Marine Debris Program

    National Marine Sanctuary Foundation

  • Recent Publications

    2021: Self, H., Stack, S.H., Currie, J.J., Lusseau, D. Tourism informing conservation: The distribution of four dolphin species varies with calf presence and increases their vulnerability to vessel traffic in the four-island region of Maui, Hawai‘i. Ecological Solutions and Evidence, 2:e12065. https://doi.org/10.1002/2688-8319.12065

    2018: Currie, J.J., Stack, S.H. and Kaufman, G.D. Conservation and Education Through  Ecotourism: Using Citizen Science to Monitor Cetaceans in the Four-Island Region of Maui,  Hawaii. Tourism in Marine Environments 13(2): 65-71. Download PDF

    2012: Tonachella, N., Nastasi, A., Kaufman, G., Maldini, D. and Rankin, R.W. Predicting trends in  humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) abundance using citizen science. Pacific  Conservation Biology 18: 297-309. Download PDF

    *For a full list of our research publications, click here:
    https://www.pacificwhale.org/research/publications/

Please consider donating to our foundation so we can continue to employ Maui residents and conduct vital Research, Education and Conservation programs to protect the ocean and its inhabitants.

Disaster Response Funds

Hawaii Visitor Update

Aloha, We Are Open!  Our PacWhale Eco-Adventures are open for booking as we welcome visitors back to Maui.  Quarantine restrictions were lifted on Oct. 15th for those following the state’s pre-arrival COVID-19 testing requirements.

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