PMLF Underwrites Migrational Study

PhD Candidate Daniela Feinholz, MS, under Dr. Atkinson's supervision, is studying abundance, distribution and habitat utilization of toothed whales and dolphins around the Island of Oahu. Here is her description of the work underway since 1998:

"Our study seeks to help the State of Hawaii and the Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary assess the status of Hawaiian odontocetes (which includes dolphins and toothed whales.)

"Although long-term studies have been conducted worldwide on coastal species, such as the bottlenose and spinner dolphins, most odontocetes live in the deep ocean. Their biology, movements and general behaviors are to date, poorly studied

"The Hawaiian Archipelago is one of the few places in the world where species otherwise hard to study come within coastline reach, and, in fact, represents a rich resource for oceanic odontocetes. Our research team flies monthly transects around Oahu aboard a twin-engine observer aircraft fitted with a bubble window that allows us to determine species, location and general behavior. Of particular interest is where odontocetes are found with highest frequency and whether their presence here is seasonal.

"The plane is equipped with a GPS receiver, which outputs to a laptop computer. This system automatically records positional data at 30-second intervals. Sightings and altitude data are manually recorded and later merged with the computer data."

Monk Seal Study | Migrational Survey | Interventional Research | Spinner Dolphin Study

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