Posted on: Wednesday, January 16, 2002

Maui needs whale-watch volunteers

Advertiser Staff

KIHEI, Maui — Volunteers are being recruited to participate in the Pacific Whale Foundation's annual whale count Feb. 23 on Maui.

Last year, more than 100 people signed up for the event, recording more than 952 sightings of humpback whales in an area within three miles of Maui's leeward shores during the three-hour counting window. Of the 952 whales sighted, 73 were calves.

The whales were most active at the surface from 9:30 to 10 a.m., with the most sightings recorded at the McGregor Point lookout.

Training and materials are provided. Counters work alongside researchers and other staff from the Pacific Whale Foundation at 10 shore-based stations stretching from La Perouse to Kapalua. To volunteer, call (808) 249-8811 on Maui; from other islands or the Mainland, call (800) 942-5311.