Marine Mammal Conservationist

At least 25 species of marine mammals are known to visit the shores of the Hawaiian Islands. On the southern shores of Oahu we are lucky enough to be graced by the Hawaiian Monk Seal and Humpback whales in the winter months. Many of the marine mammals visiting our shores face significant pressures and have a pretty grim outlook in terms of their conservation. Students enrolled in this course will learn how to properly identify all 25 marine mammal species, record significant behavioural patterns, and monitor for signs of distress and entanglement. This course is a partial fulfillment of the Ecological Monitoring Program and the Advanced Ecological Monitoring Plan.

Prerequisites:

• None

Standards:

• Learn about the different marine mammals found in Hawai'i and how to identify them down the species level

• Learn about the migrational patterns of Humpback Whales and the importance of Oahu as a Humpback whale nursery

• Understand the behavioral patterns of Cetaceans in Hawai'i

• Understand the importance of tagging, photo-identification, and species protection of marine mammals in Hawai'i

• Learn about the different threats marine mammals face locally and globally

Performance Requirements:

• Attend the Marine Mammal Ecology and Behavior Lecture

• Perform one land AND one boat whale watch surveying for cetacean presence and behavior

• If Cetaceans are found, report findings to OAP and Conservation Diver's databases

• Pass the final exam

Price:

$120/day

Discount: $75/day (Internship)

• Takes photos of guests on board the charter

Approximate time for course completion: ~8 hours and 1 boat charter