A humpback mother and calf are seen underwater. More pairs are being reported in Hawaii waters with whale season underway. Ed Lyman / NOAA photo (Permit No. 14682)

The Maui News

The Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary is asking ocean users to use caution with the start of whale season and early reports of multiple mother and calf whale pairs.

Humpback whale season in Hawaii generally runs from November through May, when thousands of the whales, or kohola, return to Hawaii waters to breed, give birth and nurse their young.

On Oct. 25, the Pacific Whale Foundation’s research team spotted its first whale of the season about 5 miles off the coast of Kihei at about 8:15 a.m. The adult male was first documented in 2019 and was last sighted in Southeast Alaska on Aug. 19, the foundation said.

With whales back in Hawaii waters, two key things boat operators can do are to keep a sharp eye out for the whales and to reduce vessel speeds, both of which have been shown to reduce the risk of hitting a whale, especially calves, which are particularly susceptible to vessel strikes, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration said in a news release Friday.

During whale season, especially in depths of 600 feet or less, boaters are asked to maintain speeds of 15 knots or less. When directly approaching a whale to view it, or departing from viewing, speeds should be reduced to 6 knots or less within 400 yards.

It is illegal to approach a humpback whale closer than 100 yards by any means, including by boat, kayak, paddleboard or drone, and closer than 1,000 feet by aircraft.

Whales are also at risk of getting tangled in ocean debris, which can result in starvation, physical trauma and infections, and may lead to vessel strikes since the animals are less mobile. Anyone who sees an injured or entangled whale or other marine mammal should keep a safe and legal distance and call the statewide NOAA Marine Wildlife Hotline at (888) 256-9840 or the U.S. Coast Guard on VHF channel 16 immediately.

To report a vessel coming too close to a whale, call the NOAA Fisheries Enforcement Hotline at (800) 853-1964, email respectwildlife@noaa.gov or contact the local office of the Department of Land and Natural Resources Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement by phone, email or on the DLNRTip app, which can be found at dlnr.hawaii.gov/blog/2020/07/09/nr20-097/.

For more information on safely boating around whales, visit dlnr.hawaii.gov/dobor/boating-with-whales/.

Wildlife viewing guidelines, safety tips and hotlines are also available at hawaiihumpbackwhale.noaa.gov/visit/recreation.html.