The Pacific Whale Foundation noted a 21 percent decrease in its Great Whale Count on Maui this year compared with last year's figures. Maui humpback
sightings drop 21%But observers spot more whale
calves this year than in 2002Star-Bulletin staff
A total of 815 humpback whale sightings were recorded Saturday compared with 1,041 whale sightings last year.
"Windy weather affected some of the numbers at some of the counting stations," said Dwayne Meadows, director of research and marine science at the Pacific Whale Foundation.
The Great Whale Count was created to help the foundation in its research efforts in Hawaii and to encourage citizen participation in whale research. This is the foundation's 13th year of conducting the Great Whale Count.
The count took place at 13 different stations with the help of 126 volunteers. Humpback whales can be seen within a 3-mile radius of Maui's shorelines, according to the foundation.
Despite the drop of the number of humpback whales seen, officials reported a 4 percent increase in calf sightings over last year. A total of 117 calf sightings were recorded compared with 111 last year. A majority of the calf sightings were reported at the McGregor Point lookout near Maalaea Harbor.
Greg Kaufman, founder and president of the Pacific Whale Foundation, said, "People who participate in this really enjoy it."
"In our busy day-to-day lives, we have few opportunities to sit and watch nature. During the Great Whale Count, people become patient observers of nature, marveling at the endangered whales that return here each year, choosing this place, Maui, out of thousands of square miles of open ocean, as the place to mate, give birth and care for their young."
The Great Whale Count is part of the Great Maui Festival, which takes place annually from Dec. 1 to May 15. Upcoming events include free talks and slide shows, special whale-watch cruises and events for children. For a list of scheduled events, call the Pacific Whale Foundation at 808-249-8811 or visit www.pacificwhale.org.