KAILUA-KONA, Hawaii (AP) – A tour boat captain has spotted the first humpback whale in Hawaii this winter season – several weeks earlier than expected.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration says the captain spotted two tail slaps from a humpback whale yearling in Big Island’s Honaunau Bay on Monday.
Last year’s first sighting was Oct. 20 off Maui’s west coast.
Humpback whale season in Hawaii generally runs from November through May.
As many as 12,000 humpback whales winter in Hawaii’s waters each year.
Endangered humpback whales are protected in Hawaii.
NOAA is reminding boaters and others on the ocean to keep a safe distance from the marine mammals.
Collisions between vessels and the 45-ton whales can cause death or injury to boaters and whales.
(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
See the original article at: KHON2 Developing Stories
