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Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary

Multimedia

Credits: (NOAA Office of National Marine Sanctuaries)
This footage is of National Marine Sanctuary researchers disentangling a humpback whale from marine debris in the Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary.

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Site Information

Home to two-thirds of the N Pacific Humpback Whale population

Location

Hawaii

Region

North and South Pacific

Type

National Marine Sanctuary

Designation Status

Formally designated

Established

1992-11-04

Designating Legislation/Agreement

The National Marine Sancturies Act (USA) 1972

Area

3537.9238 square kilometers of sea
3537.9238 square kilometers overall, including land

No-take Area

Not yet known

Habitats

Intertidal , Subtidal

Management Objectives

The central North Pacific stock of endangered humpback whales, estimated to be at approximately 10% of its pre-whaling abundance, uses the waters around the main Hawaiian Islands for reproductive activities including breeding, calving and nursing.
The waters around the Hawaiian Islands contain 24 other species of cetaceans, the highly endangered Hawaiian monk seal, three species of sea turtles and many other marine species endemic to this environment.

IUCN Management Category

Managed By

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Office of National Marine Sanctuaries

Active Management Began

1992-11-04

Active Management Ended

Not yet known

Management Websites

http://sanctuaries.noaa.gov

MPA Website

http://hawaiihumpbackwhale.noaa.gov

Site Information

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In Depth

Zones

No zones
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Recognized Versions

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Historical Versions

No previous versions

Core data on marine protected areas presented in this content management system were extracted from the 2007 World Database on Protected Areas (The WDPA is a joint product of UNEP and the IUCN, prepared by UNEP-WCMC and the IUCN WCPA working with Governments, the Secretariats of MEAs and collaborating NGOs). Updates to the core data will be synchronised with the WDPA on a regular basis. The boundary information shown in Google Earth has been simplified and is for illustration purposes only. All boundary data uploaded through this content management system will be shared in its original form with the WDPA.

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Snippet:
Text:	Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary lies within the shallow (less than 600 feet), warm waters surrounding the main Hawaiian Islands and constitutes one of the world’s most important humpback whale habitats. Scientists estimate that two-thirds of the entire North Pacific Humpback Whale population migrate to Hawaiian waters each winter to engage in breeding, calving, and nursing activities.
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