Against All Odds: Humpback Whale Completes Migration to Kona
Moon. PC: Captain Andrew Aggergaard
Against All Odds: Humpback Whale Completes Migration to Kona
On December 9, 2022 the crew of Hawaiian Adventures Kona was on a wildlife scouting trip when they encountered humpback whale BCX1232, otherwise known as “Moon”, off the Kona coast of the Big Island of Hawaii. Moon, a mature female humpback whale, has made headlines recently for her resilience in the face of insurmountable odds, completing a 4,000+ mile migration with a severe spinal injury. Hawaiian Adventures, in communication with a Cascadia Research Collective vessel, officially documented the sighting with photos of the encounter.
Moon was accompanied by a fellow mature humpback whale known by the scientific ID: PWF-NP_2761. “The contrast in condition between these two whales is a gut-wrenching testament to just how severe Moon’s condition is. She has a significant infestation of sea lice and appears to be severely emaciated” says Hawaiian Adventures’ Naturalist Samantha Murphy.
Hawaiian Adventures submitted photos from this encounter to Happywhale, a comprehensive database for marine mammal photo identification fueled by such photo contributions. Thanks to the whale-watching and research communities, we know Moon was first documented in British Columbia in 2013, and potentially sustained an injury as a result of a ship strike in 2020.
Moon’s condition and valiant migration to Hawaii implores a significant message, the importance of being whale-aware on the water. Responsible whale watchers know, “if you see a blow, go slow”. This means reducing speeds, parallel viewing, and exercising caution and vigilance when in the proximity of whales. Along with these efforts, Hawaiian Adventures Kona has introduced the use of the Whale Warning Flag along the Kona Coast. Similar to a dive flag, it acts as a signal to boaters that whales are within proximity of a vessel.
Tools like the whale warning flag and the use of photo identification are helping to increase awareness and understanding of the whales we share these waters with. As professional whale watchers, Hawaiian Adventures Kona hopes that further implementation of these tools and practices can help prevent future circumstances such as Moon’s.
Moon’s escort showing it’s flukes. PC: Captain Andrew Aggergaard
Moon and escort humpback. PC: Captain Andrew Aggergaard
Moon’s escort fluking. PC: Captain Andrew Aggergaard
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