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There are three populations of humpback whales to be found across the world’s oceans which migrate between different areas. Hugh and his cameraman were working with the Centre for Whale Studies, run by Mark and Debbie Ferrari and their team. The Centre’s research focuses on identifying individual humpback whales by both tail fluke and body pattern through video and stills photography. They document humpback whale behaviour from both above and below the water surface, determining the sex and social roles of individual whales.
For over 30 years they’ve been studying humpbacks in this unobtrusive and uninvasive way on their protected breeding grounds in Hawaii. A special research permit issued by the National Marine Fisheries Service in the United States allows Mark and Debbie to do this as obviously not just anyone can enter the water to be with whales or get close to them in boats.
This population of North Pacific humpback whales migrate each year from the rich feeding grounds of Alaska from November onwards to very sensibly spend the winter in the warm sheltered waters in Hawaii where they breed and continue to raise their young before once again heading north again from April onwards back to Alaska to feed.
Winter in Hawaiian waters is a relatively peaceful time for the whales, which gives the researchers a great opportunity to study their behaviour. In Tuesday's programme you will be able to sit back and be lulled by the waves slapping against the sides of the boat in this tropical wonderland… amongst the big breaths and singing of the whales…
Further Reading:
Next Humpback report: Humpback Whales in Alaska
Last Humpback report: Tagging Humpbacks