Humpback whale season back in Hawaii

Hawaii’s humpback whale season is here again, so federal officials want to remind boaters of their presence and the public of marine wildlife viewing guidelines and laws.

“Collisions between whales and vessels occur annually, presenting serious risks to boaters as well as the whales,” said Edward Lyman, the sanctuary’s large whale entanglement response coordinator. “Whale calves are particularly vulnerable because they are difficult to see and surface more often.”

Humpbacks can also get entangled in fishing gear, which can result in starvation, physical trauma and infections, and may contribute to vessel strikes since the animals are less mobile.

Approaching humpback whales when on or in the water within 100 yards or within 1,000 feet by air is illegal, according to the federal Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary. The humpback whales are protected by state and federal agencies..

Although numbers vary from year to year, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration scientists estimate as many as 12,000 humpback whales migrate from their feeding grounds off of Alaska to breed, calve and nurse their young in Hawaii’s warm waters.

Some whales have already arrived, but most are expected between January and March.

Members of the public that see see an injured or entangled marine mammal are asked to keep a safe distance and call NOAA’s hotline at 888-256-9840 or the U.S. Coast Guard on VHF channel 16 immediately.

Reports of vessels coming too close to a whale can be reported to the NOAA Fisheries Enforcement hotline at 800-853-1964 or by email respectwildlife@noaa.gov. Marine wildlife viewing guidelines and safety tips are available at the following link..