Hawaii FEP - Western Pacific Fishery Council

Humpback whales migrate through waters around the NWHI and occur off all eight HawaiianIslands during the winter breeding season, but particularly within the shallow waters of the“four-island” region (Kaho’olawe, Molokai, Lanai, Maui); the northwestern coast of the island ofHawaii; and the waters around Niihau, Kauai, and Oahu. This population is estimated to total6,000 – 10,000 individuals and researchers estimate that it is increasing by seven percent peryear, putting the species on a track to double in just over a decade.Sperm WhalesThe sperm whale (Physeter macrocephalus) is the most easily recognizable whale with a darkishgray-brown body and a wrinkled appearance. The head of the sperm whale is very large, makingup to 40 percent of its total body length. The current average size for male sperm whales is about15 meters, with females reaching up to 12 meters. Sperm whales are found in tropical to polarwaters throughout the world (Rice 1989). They are among the most abundant large cetaceans inthe region. Sperm whales have been sighted around several of the Northwestern HawaiianIslands (Rice 1960) and off the main islands of Hawaii (Lee 1993). The sounds of sperm whaleshave been recorded throughout the year off Oahu (Thompson and Freidl 1982).According to NOAA (www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/species/mammals/cetaceans/spermwhale.htm,accessed April 17, 2009) the world’s population of sperm whales is estimated to be between200,000 and 1,500,000 individuals. However, the methods used to make this estimate are indispute, and there is considerable uncertainty over the number of sperm whales. The status ofsperm whales in Hawaii waters relative to the optimum sustainable population is unknown, andthere are insufficient data to evaluate trends in abundance (Forney et al. 2000).Blue WhalesThe blue whale (Balaenoptera musculus) is the largest living animal. Blue whales can reachlengths of 30 meters and weights of 160 tons (320,000 lbs), with females usually being largerthan males of the same age. They occur in all oceans, usually along continental shelves, but canalso be found in the shallow inshore waters and on the high seas. No sightings or strandings ofblue whales have been reported in Hawaii, but acoustic recordings made off Oahu and MidwayAtoll reported blue whales somewhere within the EEZ around Hawaii (Thompson and Freidl1982). The stock structure of blue whales in the North Pacific is uncertain (Forney et al. 2000).The status of this species in Hawaii waters relative to the optimum sustainable population isunknown, and there are insufficient data to evaluate trends in abundance (Forney et al. 2000).Prior to whaling, the worldwide population of blue whales is believed to have been about200,000 animals. Only 8,000-12,000 are estimated to be alive today. Blue whales have alwaysbeen more abundant in the Antarctic than in the northern hemisphere. An estimated 4,900 to6,000 blue whales are believed to have inhabited the north Pacific prior to whaling. The northPacific population is now estimated at 1,200 to 1,700 animals.Fin WhalesFin whales (Balaenoptera physalus) are found throughout all oceans and seas of the world fromtropical to polar latitudes (Forney et al. 2000). Although it is generally believed that fin whales78