Coast Guard, partners join forces for humpback whale safety
HONOLULU, Hawaii—The U.S. Coast Guard joins partners during Operation KoholƒÅ Guardian to reduce risk to humpback whales among the Hawaiian Islands, Jan. 1 through March 31, 2024.
U.S. Coast Guard District 14 partners with National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration Office of Law Enforcement, and the Hawaii Division of Conservation and Resource Enforcement during the humpback whale season around the Hawaiian Islands.
Operation Koholā Guardians is a focused mission that occurs during peak whale season, from January to March, that was designed to monitor and protect humpback whales, enforce humpback whale regulations, provide outreach and education to the community, and respond to distressed whales.
Thousands of humpback whales seasonally use the waters around the Hawaiian Islands as their principal breeding and calving wintering grounds. Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary is one of 15 National Marine Sanctuaries designated as special areas set aside for long-term protection and conservation and provides extremely important habitat for humpback whales.
Mariners and visitors are reminded that the following activities are prohibited and unlawful:
A vessel, individual, or drone approaching within 100 yards of any humpback whale.
Operating an aircraft within 1,000 feet of any humpback whale, except as necessary for takeoff or landing from an airport or runway.
Harassing, hunting, capturing, or killing, or any attempt to do any of these actions, of any humpback whale in the sanctuary.
“Operation KoholƒÅ Guardian is a shining example of how the Coast Guard, alongside our invaluable partners at NOAA and the Hawaii Division of Conservation and Resource Enforcement, effectively safeguard the fragile marine ecosystems of the Hawaiian Islands,” said Lt. Cmdr. Nic Iannarone, the chief of enforcement at U.S. Coast Guard Sector Honolulu. “Through collaborative efforts, shared intelligence, and coordinated patrols, we ensure the safety of protected and iconic species like humpback whales, while simultaneously fostering responsible practices amongst ocean users. This collaborative approach is not only crucial for enforcing regulations, but also for educating the public and fostering appreciation for the delicate balance of our marine environment.”
If you see a violation or are involved in a collision, call the NOAA hotline at 1-800-853-1964. If a phone call is not possible, hail the Coast Guard on VHF Channel 16. (USCG)
A humpback whale shows its tail as it dives below the surface of the water in Maui, Hawaii, Feb. 14, 2020. The humpback whale is the world’s fifth largest whale and can grow between 40 and 50 feet in length.
-USCG
Petty Officer 1st Class Jay Bermudez, a maritime enforcement specialist from Honolulu, hangs off the port side of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s response boat in search of recreational vessels that may pose a threat to the large concentration of whales off the coast of Maui, Hawaii, Feb. 14, 2020. The Coast Guard encourages vessel operators to stay vigilant while traveling at speed on the water and asks that they keep an eye out for whales at all times in order to avoid potential collisions or accidents.
-USCG
Petty Officer 1st Class Jay Bermudez, a maritime enforcement specialist from Honolulu, watches for vessels that are encroaching too closely to the whale population in Maui, Hawaii, Feb. 14, 2020. The Coast Guard recommends vessels travel at a slow, safe speed in areas where whales are present, and to always maintain a minimum of 100 yards distance from the large mammals.
-USCG
