LIHU‘E — The Sanctuary Ocean Count was named the Take Pride in America Outstanding Federal Volunteer Program during a ceremony in Washington, D.C., Thursday. Launched in 1996, the annual Sanctuary Ocean Count, the signature outreach project for the National Oceanic
LIHU‘E — The Sanctuary Ocean Count was named the Take Pride in America Outstanding Federal Volunteer Program during a ceremony in Washington, D.C., Thursday.
Launched in 1996, the annual Sanctuary Ocean Count, the signature outreach project for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary, attracts more than 2,300 volunteers from across Kaua‘i, O‘ahu and Hawai‘i Island, according to a press release from NOAA.
The first Sanctuary Ocean Count involved 150 volunteers who took to the shorelines of O‘ahu to count Hawai‘i’s endangered whale population and document the animals’ surface behavior. Over the 17 years the Sanctuary Ocean Count has taken place, more than 20,000 volunteers have contributed more than 100,000 hours of in-kind support.
“The Sanctuary Ocean Count engages local communities and visitors in ocean conservation,” Sanctuary Superintendent Malia Chow said in the release. “This award recognizes the work of thousands of volunteers who have participated in this project over the years.”
The goal of the Sanctuary Ocean Count project is to increase public awareness of the sanctuary and current ocean issues, including threats to humpback whales while promoting responsible viewing of all marine wildlife.
The project offers Hawai‘i residents and visitors an opportunity to monitor humpback whales in their breeding grounds by conducting a yearly shore-based census during the peak season.
The Sanctuary Ocean Count takes place on the final Saturday of January, February and March; and during previous counts, have involved student volunteers from the Kaua‘i Community College marine sciences program as well as high school service clubs. During one Sanctuary Ocean Count, a representative of the Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale Marine Sanctuary visited the ‘Ele‘ele Elementary School to set up a special Count site so students in the school could participate in a count during school hours.
Counters participating in the Sanctuary Ocean Count and are encouraged to attend training classes led by Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale Marine Sanctuary instructors prior to the actual count day.
Although the census provided by counters does not claim to provide scientifically accurate results, it serves as a tool to supplement scientific information gathered from other research activities. The count also provides a snapshot data as well as information how whales use inshore waters on a typical peak season day.
“Since the beginning of the Sanctuary Ocean Count project, thousands of residents and visitors have experienced the unique thrill and excitement of seeing whales and marine life in the sanctuary,” Sanctuary Ocean Count project manager Christine Brammer said in the release. “The public’s participation in this project has also resulted in a greater level of commitment to protecting the marine environment.”
The humpback whale season in Hawai‘i generally runs from November through May, although whales may be encountered in limited numbers during other months. More than 10,000 humpback whales winter in Hawaiian waters each year.
The 2013 Sanctuary Ocean Count will take place during the last Saturday of January, February and March, with registration taking place in December.
Take Pride in America is a nationwide partnership program authorized by Congress to promote the appreciation and stewardship of the nation’s public lands.
Visit www.sanctuaryoceancount.org for more information, or to register when the 2013 registration opens.
• Dennis Fujimoto, photographer and staff writer, can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 253) or dfujimoto@ thegardenisland.com.
