Ocean Count training dates set

New volunteers wishing to participate in the 2010 Sanctuary Ocean Count need to attend the training sessions, said Jean Souza, the Kaua‘i coordinator for the Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary.

Training will take place from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. a week before the Sanctuary Ocean Count which will fall on the last Saturday of January, February and March.

During the count, volunteers count the number of humpback whales which can be seen around the islands over a four-hour period starting at 8 a.m. Whale behavior is observed and recorded to assist in studying the whales.

Volunteers need to be pre-registered and are requested to be at the sites between 7:15 and 7:30 a.m., or as instructed by the site leaders.

Kaua‘i will have 15 different sites where volunteers can select from. These include the Lumaha‘i Overlook, Princeville, Kilauea Point National Wildlife Refuge, Crater Hill, Kapa‘a Overlook, Ahukini State Recreation Pier, Ninini Lighthouse, Maha‘ulepu-Haula, Mahaulepu-Makawehi, Mahahuena Point, Po‘ipu Beach Park, Kaiwa Point, Port Allen Cemetery, Waimea Canyon Drive and PMRF-Nohili Ditch.

There are more than 60 sites where Sanctuary Ocean Counts will take place on Kaua‘i, O‘ahu and the Big Island. Maui conducts its own count.

Souza said training is required for all new volunteers and is optional for those volunteers returning to do the Sanctuary Count this year.

The training consists of orientation on the Ocean Count method, what to expect, duties, what to bring and a multi-media lecture on humpback whales.

This year’s training sites are Jan. 23 at the Chiefess Kamakahelei Middle School cafeteria, Feb. 20 at the Lihu‘e Civic Center and Mar. 20 at the Lihu‘e Civic Center.

The 2010 Sanctuary Ocean Count dates are Jan. 30, Feb. 27 and March 27.

To register, call the Kaua‘i Sanctuary office at 245-2860.

For more information, visit hawaiihumpbackwhale.noaa.gov.