Honolulu, HI - Thousands of humpback whales migrate to the Hawaiian Islands every winter between November and the end of May. They come to the warm waters to breed but researchers say they are on the move. Acoustic technology recorded the whales in waters around the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands, a federally protected area, also known as Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument.
"We were monitoring the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands using acoustic methods. And we started hearing a lot of whales," said Dr. Marc Lammers, a researcher with the Hawaii Institute of Marine Biology.
Lammers said the discovery is another sign the humpback whale population is continuing to recover after years of whaling practices placed the mammals on the endangered species list. Lammers said the humpbacks are still threatened.
"There's talk about resuming whaling particularly by some of the traditional whaling nations like Japan. They would like to increase the number of whales they would like to take," said Lammers.
Lammers said there is also discussion about taking the animals off the endangered species list.
"Hawaii really depends heavily on whale watching and on the whales as really a source of commerce. So a healthy whale population and animals that are protected, I think is very important for Hawaii," said Lammers.
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