Updated at 1:36 p.m., Monday, February 26, 2007
Volunteers spot 20 humpback whales every 15 minutes
By Dan Nakaso
Advertiser Staff Writer
The final count for the year will take place on March 31.
On Saturday, between 8 a.m. and noon, volunteers on 59 sites spotted an average of three whales per 15-minute period on O'ahu; four on Kaua'i; four on the Big Island and nine on Kaho'olawe.
Hawai'i's humpback whale population has been increasing at an annual rate of about 7 percent, sanctuary officials said, citing scientific data. Data from count can be used to corroborate the findings, sanctuary officials said.
Hawaiian waters provide critical breeding habitat for about two-thirds of the North Pacific humpback whale population, according to sanctuary officials.
"February is the peak of whale season in the Hawaiian islands and this season has proved to be a busy one for the sanctuary," said Christine Brammer, sanctuary ocean count coordinator.
Reach Dan Nakaso at dnakaso@honoluluadvertiser.com.
