Humpback whales typically begin arriving in the warm waters around the islands of Hawaii during the month of December, but this year, experts say that the animals have been much slower to return, reported Christian Science Monitor . So, where are the whales ?
According to Ed Lyman, who serves as resource protection manager and response coordinator for the Maui-based Humpback Whale Marine Sanctuary , the change in migration patterns for the whales is of interest, but “isn’t a concern.” In fact, rebounding whale populations may have increased competition for food, making it necessary for the whales to stay longer up north before heading south.
“One theory was that something like this happened as whales increased. It’s a product of their success.”
The giant whales serve as an iconic part of winter water activities in areas along the Pacific coast from Hawaii to Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. In popular tourist destinations all along the coast, the annual appearance of the humpback whales also serves as an important source of income for tour operators.
According to Modern Readers, there really is no way to know for sure where the whales are, or to nail down the exact number of whales that have been spotted so far this year, since the annual whale count takes place on the last Saturday of January and again on the last Saturday of February and March.
“Over 10,000 humpback whales swim from Alaska to Hawaii in the winter, seeking warmer climates amid the frigid winters in Alaska.”
Each year when the humpbacks reach Hawaii, the whales also typically use this time to mate and give birth. However, the ongoing El Nino phenomenon has increased the overall water temperature in the Pacific Ocean, which may be causing the whales to take advantage of increased feeding grounds to the north and in other areas.
Former sanctuary co-manager Jeff Walters also told Christian Science Monitor that the whales don’t always show up at the same time and place each year. Lyman thinks their absence could actually be a sign that the whale population has gone up, since it takes a significant amount of energy to make the 2,000-plus-mile trek.
“With more animals, they’re competing against each other for that food resource, and it takes an energy of reserve to make that long migration.”
Still, scientists remain largely baffled by the lack of humpbacks showing up so far in Hawaii this year, since the massive animals can usually be seen in droves in the warm waters around the islands. Cars can typically be seen lined up along the Akoni Pule Highway on Hawaii’s north Kohala Coast, pulled off on the side of the road as passengers stop to watch, awestruck, as the humpback whales can be seen slapping their pecs and breaching to grand effect.
Kailua-Kona aerial photographer Brian Powers told West Hawaii Today that he is definitely eager for the humpbacks to return , having spent years capturing images of the whales from the air. According to Nick Craig, who operates Waikoloa-based Hawaii Ocean Sports, however, things have been picking up leading up to the New Year after a slow start in early December.
“The first part of the month had five trips with no whales and several excursions where only a few were spotted. In the last few days though, we seem to be back to eight to ten whales per trip.”
Interestingly, Lyman says the whales typically do not feed during the southern end of the long journey through the Pacific.
“They also may not stay here as long, especially the males. They may not have the energy reserves.”
[Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images]
