WEBVTT 00:00.533 --> 00:04.804 align:left position:30% line:89% size:60% (majestic music) 00:04.804 --> 00:09.776 align:left position:27.5% line:89% size:62.5% (water splashing) 00:09.776 --> 00:16.149 align:left position:12.5% line:89% size:77.5% - [narrator] Humpback whales. 00:16.149 --> 00:18.051 align:left position:17.5% line:89% size:72.5% These charismatic mammals 00:18.051 --> 00:23.723 align:left position:30% line:83% size:60% occur throughout the world's oceans 00:23.723 --> 00:27.627 align:left position:30% line:89% size:60% (water spraying) 00:27.627 --> 00:29.295 align:left position:12.5% line:89% size:77.5% and they have long fascinated 00:29.295 --> 00:32.532 align:left position:27.5% line:83% size:62.5% those lucky enough to observe them. 00:32.532 --> 00:42.575 align:left position:17.5% line:89% size:72.5% (camera shutter clicking) 00:42.575 --> 00:45.712 align:left position:30% line:89% size:60% (whales calling) 00:45.712 --> 00:48.548 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% - [anke] They have this really complex social system. 00:48.548 --> 00:57.223 align:left position:22.5% line:83% size:67.5% - [andy] They're quite intelligent critters. 00:57.223 --> 00:58.258 align:left position:25% line:83% size:65% - [rachel] The whale gives a feeling 00:58.258 --> 01:00.093 align:left position:12.5% line:89% size:77.5% of the wildness of the world. 01:00.093 --> 01:03.329 align:left position:30% line:89% size:60% (whale thumping) 01:03.329 --> 01:10.036 align:left position:32.5% line:89% size:57.5% (somber music) 01:10.036 --> 01:13.306 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% - [narrator] Once nearly hunted to extinction, 01:13.306 --> 01:15.275 align:left position:15% line:89% size:75% these awe-inspiring animals 01:15.275 --> 01:19.546 align:left position:22.5% line:83% size:67.5% have made a remarkable comeback since 1966, 01:19.546 --> 01:21.581 align:left position:22.5% line:83% size:67.5% when the International Whaling Commission 01:21.581 --> 01:24.284 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% completed the global ban on commercial whaling 01:24.284 --> 01:29.989 align:left position:25% line:89% size:65% of humpback whales. 01:29.989 --> 01:31.357 align:left position:25% line:83% size:65% - [martin] The North Pacific humpbacks, 01:31.357 --> 01:33.126 align:left position:12.5% line:89% size:77.5% they were hunted quite heavily 01:33.126 --> 01:39.766 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% down to about 5% of the original population size. 01:39.766 --> 01:41.201 align:left position:15% line:89% size:75% - [andy] Some have estimated 01:41.201 --> 01:43.903 align:left position:25% line:83% size:65% that there was about 1,200 to 1,400 individuals 01:43.903 --> 01:46.005 align:left position:15% line:89% size:75% in the entire North Pacific. 01:46.005 --> 01:47.173 align:left position:27.5% line:83% size:62.5% - [marc] Humpback whale populations 01:47.173 --> 01:48.942 align:left position:12.5% line:89% size:77.5% really were severely depleted, 01:48.942 --> 01:52.045 align:left position:25% line:83% size:65% and it wasn't until they became protected 01:52.045 --> 01:54.547 align:left position:22.5% line:83% size:67.5% through acts like the Marine Mammal Protection Act 01:54.547 --> 01:56.382 align:left position:12.5% line:89% size:77.5% and the Endangered Species Act 01:56.382 --> 02:00.687 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% that we started to see a recovery of these populations. 02:00.687 --> 02:03.690 align:left position:30% line:89% size:60% (cheerful music) 02:03.690 --> 02:07.460 align:left position:12.5% line:83% size:77.5% - [narrator] Since the 1970s, researchers have been studying 02:07.460 --> 02:10.263 align:left position:22.5% line:83% size:67.5% the distinct humpback whale population 02:10.263 --> 02:12.499 align:left position:22.5% line:83% size:67.5% that migrates between feeding grounds 02:12.499 --> 02:17.737 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% in southeast Alaska and breeding grounds in Hawai i. 02:17.737 --> 02:21.474 align:left position:17.5% line:83% size:72.5% With time, the numbers of animals steadily increased, 02:21.474 --> 02:25.712 align:left position:17.5% line:83% size:72.5% and in 2004, a multi-year research effort 02:25.712 --> 02:29.782 align:left position:22.5% line:83% size:67.5% involving more than 50 research groups got underway 02:29.782 --> 02:32.352 align:left position:30% line:83% size:60% to determine the abundance of humpbacks 02:32.352 --> 02:35.488 align:left position:12.5% line:89% size:77.5% throughout the North Pacific. 02:35.488 --> 02:36.656 align:left position:17.5% line:89% size:72.5% - [adam] It was estimated 02:36.656 --> 02:39.559 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% that there was a little over 10,000 whales 02:39.559 --> 02:41.127 align:left position:22.5% line:89% size:67.5% now visiting Hawai i. 02:41.127 --> 02:44.831 align:left position:25% line:83% size:65% Now from less than a thousand in the 1970s 02:44.831 --> 02:48.468 align:left position:20% line:89% size:70% to over 10,000 in 2006, 02:48.468 --> 02:51.171 align:left position:25% line:83% size:65% and that was from a population North Pacific wide 02:51.171 --> 02:53.673 align:left position:20% line:89% size:70% of about 21,000 whales. 02:53.673 --> 02:56.176 align:left position:25% line:83% size:65% That's an incredible recovery story. 02:56.176 --> 03:01.881 align:left position:15% line:83% size:75% The rate of annual abundance increase was about 6 to 7%. 03:01.881 --> 03:04.817 align:left position:27.5% line:89% size:62.5% (low urgent music) 03:04.817 --> 03:07.687 align:left position:17.5% line:83% size:72.5% - [narrator] Based on this assessment and others, 03:07.687 --> 03:11.291 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 03:11.291 --> 03:14.327 align:left position:25% line:83% size:65% removed the Hawai i distinct population segment 03:14.327 --> 03:15.828 align:left position:27.5% line:89% size:62.5% of humpback whales 03:15.828 --> 03:21.467 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% from the U.S. endangered species list in 2016. 03:21.467 --> 03:22.635 align:left position:15% line:89% size:75% - [lars] It's not very often 03:22.635 --> 03:24.504 align:left position:27.5% line:83% size:62.5% that we see these conservation successes. 03:24.504 --> 03:27.507 align:left position:17.5% line:83% size:72.5% So that's an example of us doing something right in nature. 03:27.507 --> 03:28.975 align:left position:30% line:89% size:60% (water spraying) 03:28.975 --> 03:30.210 align:left position:22.5% line:83% size:67.5% - [joe] So people are breathing a sigh of relief 03:30.210 --> 03:31.878 align:left position:30% line:83% size:60% thinking they're out of the woods. 03:31.878 --> 03:33.279 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% - [narrator] But the celebration 03:33.279 --> 03:36.416 align:left position:27.5% line:83% size:62.5% of this incredible conservation success story 03:36.416 --> 03:38.184 align:left position:30% line:89% size:60% was short-lived. 03:38.184 --> 03:42.121 align:left position:17.5% line:83% size:72.5% - [eden] In the 2015/2016 whale season here in Hawai i, 03:42.121 --> 03:43.690 align:left position:27.5% line:83% size:62.5% we started to get anecdotal reports 03:43.690 --> 03:45.858 align:left position:27.5% line:83% size:62.5% that whale numbers were lower than usual. 03:45.858 --> 03:49.095 align:left position:12.5% line:83% size:77.5% So initially we thought maybe there's just a late arrival, 03:49.095 --> 03:51.731 align:left position:12.5% line:83% size:77.5% could be patchy distribution, not really sure, 03:51.731 --> 03:57.170 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% but that trend continued for the next three seasons. 03:57.170 --> 03:58.705 align:left position:17.5% line:89% size:72.5% (camera shutter clicking) 03:58.705 --> 04:00.640 align:left position:17.5% line:83% size:72.5% - [andy] We started seeing fewer whales here in Alaska, 04:00.640 --> 04:03.776 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% far fewer calves than we had seen in previous years, 04:03.776 --> 04:07.213 align:left position:27.5% line:83% size:62.5% we're seeing more whales apparently that 04:07.213 --> 04:11.918 align:left position:15% line:83% size:75% and we're seeing a lot more skinny and emaciated whales. 04:11.918 --> 04:13.353 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% - [marc] It came as a big shock 04:13.353 --> 04:15.121 align:left position:25% line:83% size:65% because the humpback whale population 04:15.121 --> 04:17.624 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% had been recovering so steadily. 04:17.624 --> 04:19.559 align:left position:30% line:83% size:60% All of us really were caught off guard 04:19.559 --> 04:24.030 align:left position:27.5% line:83% size:62.5% and we just didn't know what to think. 04:24.030 --> 04:25.298 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% - [adam] It was a major concern. 04:25.298 --> 04:28.434 align:left position:22.5% line:83% size:67.5% You can't help but be impacted emotionally. 04:28.434 --> 04:30.570 align:left position:30% line:89% size:60% (water spraying) 04:30.570 --> 04:31.738 align:left position:20% line:89% size:70% (plane engine whirring) 04:31.738 --> 04:32.972 align:left position:32.5% line:83% size:57.5% - [joe] People think of scientists 04:32.972 --> 04:35.241 align:left position:25% line:83% size:65% as being kind of all head and no heart, 04:35.241 --> 04:38.378 align:left position:12.5% line:89% size:77.5% but no, it's quite different. 04:38.378 --> 04:39.912 align:left position:35% line:89% size:55% (fin thuds) 04:39.912 --> 04:42.215 align:left position:17.5% line:83% size:72.5% After you've been studying the species for a while, 04:42.215 --> 04:44.851 align:left position:35% line:83% size:55% it becomes a personal involvement. 04:44.851 --> 04:45.852 align:left position:15% line:89% size:75% - [adam] If they're missing, 04:45.852 --> 04:49.122 align:left position:30% line:83% size:60% it's like losing a family member. 04:49.122 --> 04:50.623 align:left position:30% line:89% size:60% (water spraying) 04:50.623 --> 04:52.725 align:left position:12.5% line:83% size:77.5% - [eden] Cetaceans, you know, whales, dolphins, porpoises, 04:52.725 --> 04:55.194 align:left position:25% line:83% size:65% are really canaries in the coal mine. 04:55.194 --> 04:57.397 align:left position:30% line:89% size:60% (water spraying) 04:57.397 --> 04:59.399 align:left position:30% line:83% size:60% They tell us the health of our oceans. 04:59.399 --> 05:01.334 align:left position:25% line:83% size:65% And so when they're not doing that well, 05:01.334 --> 05:03.569 align:left position:17.5% line:89% size:72.5% we really need to listen. 05:03.569 --> 05:07.807 align:left position:30% line:89% size:60% (wistful music) 05:07.807 --> 05:10.310 align:left position:22.5% line:83% size:67.5% - [narrator] What had happened to the humpbacks? 05:10.310 --> 05:13.880 align:left position:17.5% line:83% size:72.5% And how did the scientific community mobilize 05:13.880 --> 05:16.082 align:left position:20% line:89% size:70% to answer this question? 05:16.082 --> 05:38.304 align:left position:30% line:89% size:60% (dramatic music) 05:38.304 --> 05:40.139 align:left position:25% line:83% size:65% - [announcer] Major funding for this program 05:40.139 --> 05:43.109 align:left position:25% line:83% size:65% was provided by the Batchelor Foundation, 05:43.109 --> 05:45.912 align:left position:22.5% line:83% size:67.5% encouraging people to preserve and protect 05:45.912 --> 05:49.916 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% America's underwater resources. 05:49.916 --> 05:51.918 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% Additional funding was provided 05:51.918 --> 05:58.691 align:left position:12.5% line:83% size:77.5% by the Parrot Family Endowment for Environmental Education. 05:58.691 --> 06:04.997 align:left position:30% line:89% size:60% (wistful music) 06:04.997 --> 06:08.534 align:left position:17.5% line:83% size:72.5% - [narrator] For decades, scientists in southeast Alaska 06:08.534 --> 06:10.703 align:left position:12.5% line:89% size:77.5% and the main Hawaiian Islands 06:10.703 --> 06:13.005 align:left position:27.5% line:83% size:62.5% have been studying the humpback whales 06:13.005 --> 06:14.807 align:left position:15% line:89% size:75% that frequent their waters. 06:14.807 --> 06:16.642 align:left position:30% line:89% size:60% (whale calling) 06:16.642 --> 06:21.280 align:left position:17.5% line:83% size:72.5% - [andy] The whales are in Alaska 06:21.280 --> 06:23.082 align:left position:30% line:83% size:60% They definitely start to drop off 06:23.082 --> 06:25.385 align:left position:15% line:89% size:75% in November through December 06:25.385 --> 06:27.587 align:left position:30% line:83% size:60% with a very low point in January, 06:27.587 --> 06:29.989 align:left position:17.5% line:83% size:72.5% and then they start coming back up in abundance 06:29.989 --> 06:32.158 align:left position:22.5% line:83% size:67.5% across the late winter and early spring. 06:32.158 --> 06:35.561 align:left position:17.5% line:83% size:72.5% (camera shutter clicking) (whimsical music) 06:35.561 --> 06:37.463 align:left position:22.5% line:83% size:67.5% - [narrator] The vast majority of whales 06:37.463 --> 06:39.866 align:left position:12.5% line:89% size:77.5% that feed in southeast Alaska 06:39.866 --> 06:43.970 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% will migrate thousands of miles to the main Hawaiian Islands 06:43.970 --> 06:47.607 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% to breed in late winter and early spring. 06:47.607 --> 06:51.344 align:left position:15% line:83% size:75% - [andy] I think we estimate now it's probably 88%. 06:51.344 --> 06:56.048 align:left position:12.5% line:83% size:77.5% What seems to drive the areas that the animals travel to, 06:56.048 --> 06:58.351 align:left position:22.5% line:83% size:67.5% seems to be where they went with their moms. 06:58.351 --> 06:59.886 align:left position:32.5% line:89% size:57.5% (gentle music) 06:59.886 --> 07:01.354 align:left position:15% line:89% size:75% If you were born in Hawai i 07:01.354 --> 07:03.189 align:left position:17.5% line:83% size:72.5% and your mom brings you up to Alaska in your first year, 07:03.189 --> 07:05.725 align:left position:17.5% line:83% size:72.5% you're gonna come back to Alaska and the odds are, 07:05.725 --> 07:08.828 align:left position:25% line:83% size:65% you're gonna go back to Hawai i as well. 07:08.828 --> 07:10.730 align:left position:25% line:83% size:65% - [narrator] Experts in both locations 07:10.730 --> 07:15.468 align:left position:12.5% line:83% size:77.5% are used to seeing many of the same whales year after year. 07:15.468 --> 07:17.537 align:left position:25% line:83% size:65% So when the animals stopped showing up 07:17.537 --> 07:21.908 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% in their usual numbers, people became concerned. 07:21.908 --> 07:28.948 align:left position:32.5% line:89% size:57.5% (regal music) 07:28.948 --> 07:31.184 align:left position:12.5% line:83% size:77.5% - [eden] In 2018, the Hawaiian Islands 07:31.184 --> 07:33.219 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary, 07:33.219 --> 07:35.588 align:left position:27.5% line:83% size:62.5% helped to convene over 30 researchers 07:35.588 --> 07:38.391 align:left position:27.5% line:83% size:62.5% and I think it was over 17 institutions, 07:38.391 --> 07:40.927 align:left position:15% line:83% size:75% to come together and try to figure out what's going on 07:40.927 --> 07:43.763 align:left position:22.5% line:83% size:67.5% with our North Pacific stock of humpback whales. 07:43.763 --> 07:45.565 align:left position:15% line:89% size:75% And so this involves people 07:45.565 --> 07:48.968 align:left position:12.5% line:83% size:77.5% from all the different islands here in Hawai i and Alaska, 07:48.968 --> 07:50.470 align:left position:30% line:83% size:60% and we're really trying to work together 07:50.470 --> 07:52.038 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% to figure out what is going on. 07:52.038 --> 07:53.039 align:left position:30% line:89% size:60% (water spraying) 07:53.039 --> 07:54.507 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% - [marc] It's very important, I think, 07:54.507 --> 07:57.443 align:left position:17.5% line:83% size:72.5% to have these discussions and these collaborations, 07:57.443 --> 08:01.581 align:left position:22.5% line:83% size:67.5% because we have a lot of knowledge gaps. 08:01.581 --> 08:02.949 align:left position:15% line:83% size:75% - [joe] The consensus of the meeting 08:02.949 --> 08:06.786 align:left position:22.5% line:83% size:67.5% was that we needed to, you know, figure out, 08:06.786 --> 08:08.788 align:left position:25% line:83% size:65% you know, what their status was now, 08:08.788 --> 08:10.790 align:left position:20% line:89% size:70% using different methods. 08:10.790 --> 08:13.192 align:left position:32.5% line:89% size:57.5% (regal music) 08:13.192 --> 08:15.461 align:left position:22.5% line:83% size:67.5% - (Sanctuary Employee) Sighting! 08:15.461 --> 08:18.464 align:left position:35% line:89% size:55% 9-2-0-9-2-3. 08:18.464 --> 08:20.633 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% - [narrator] Researchers at the Hawaiian Islands 08:20.633 --> 08:23.870 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary 08:23.870 --> 08:26.439 align:left position:32.5% line:83% size:57.5% came up with a three-pronged approach 08:26.439 --> 08:28.040 align:left position:15% line:89% size:75% to determine how many whales 08:28.040 --> 08:32.612 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% are coming to the winter breeding grounds each season. 08:32.612 --> 08:35.047 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% - [eden] The hope is that if we combine each one of these data 08:35.047 --> 08:36.549 align:left position:30% line:83% size:60% that we'll get a better understanding 08:36.549 --> 08:40.219 align:left position:12.5% line:83% size:77.5% of how many animals are really in our waters here in Maui. 08:40.219 --> 08:48.828 align:left position:32.5% line:89% size:57.5% (upbeat music) 08:48.828 --> 08:53.733 align:left position:32.5% line:89% size:57.5% (air hissing) 08:53.733 --> 08:56.402 align:left position:17.5% line:83% size:72.5% - [marc] We have a number of acoustic recorders 08:56.402 --> 09:01.173 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% out in various parts of the Hawaiian Islands. 09:01.173 --> 09:03.209 align:left position:22.5% line:83% size:67.5% - [narrator] While on the breeding grounds, 09:03.209 --> 09:06.746 align:left position:27.5% line:83% size:62.5% the male humpbacks perform elaborate songs, 09:06.746 --> 09:10.850 align:left position:17.5% line:83% size:72.5% which become the dominant source of sound underwater. 09:10.850 --> 09:13.519 align:left position:30% line:89% size:60% (whales calling) 09:13.519 --> 09:16.622 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% - [marc] The acoustic recorders help us determine 09:16.622 --> 09:19.058 align:left position:27.5% line:83% size:62.5% when whales are in Hawaiian waters, 09:19.058 --> 09:21.928 align:left position:25% line:83% size:65% because the acoustic energy increases, 09:21.928 --> 09:24.931 align:left position:22.5% line:83% size:67.5% so we can measure the arrival of the whales 09:24.931 --> 09:28.968 align:left position:17.5% line:89% size:72.5% in the December timeframe. 09:28.968 --> 09:33.639 align:left position:25% line:83% size:65% The acoustic levels go up rapidly. 09:33.639 --> 09:36.242 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% They usually peak around February or March, 09:36.242 --> 09:39.145 align:left position:25% line:83% size:65% and then decrease in the April timeframe. 09:39.145 --> 09:40.613 align:left position:27.5% line:89% size:62.5% (thoughtful music) 09:40.613 --> 09:43.182 align:left position:15% line:83% size:75% Now, that allows us to track the whale season itself, 09:43.182 --> 09:45.618 align:left position:25% line:83% size:65% but then we can also use that information 09:45.618 --> 09:49.755 align:left position:25% line:83% size:65% to compare the whale seasons between years. 09:49.755 --> 09:51.557 align:left position:30% line:83% size:60% - [narrator] The scientists discovered 09:51.557 --> 09:54.994 align:left position:17.5% line:89% size:72.5% that between 2015 and 2018 09:54.994 --> 09:59.231 align:left position:15% line:83% size:75% the acoustic energy recorded at six sites off Maui 09:59.231 --> 10:04.971 align:left position:22.5% line:83% size:67.5% dropped by 50% during the peak whale season. 10:04.971 --> 10:07.373 align:left position:12.5% line:83% size:77.5% - [marc] Not only was the peak of the chorusing was lower 10:07.373 --> 10:08.574 align:left position:17.5% line:89% size:72.5% during those three years, 10:08.574 --> 10:11.110 align:left position:22.5% line:83% size:67.5% but we could tell that the season changed 10:11.110 --> 10:13.579 align:left position:22.5% line:83% size:67.5% and the whales started to leave Hawaiian waters 10:13.579 --> 10:17.750 align:left position:25% line:89% size:65% earlier and earlier. 10:17.750 --> 10:22.054 align:left position:22.5% line:89% size:67.5% (boat engine whirring) 10:22.054 --> 10:26.258 align:left position:30% line:89% size:60% (majestic music) 10:26.258 --> 10:29.128 align:left position:17.5% line:83% size:72.5% - [narrator] Knowing this, the experts decided to count 10:29.128 --> 10:32.798 align:left position:22.5% line:83% size:67.5% the actual numbers of whales in the area. 10:32.798 --> 10:35.801 align:left position:22.5% line:83% size:67.5% Sanctuary staff began regular boat surveys 10:35.801 --> 10:39.538 align:left position:32.5% line:83% size:57.5% in the leeward waters off west Maui. 10:39.538 --> 10:43.175 align:left position:15% line:83% size:75% This is an area where whales tend to occur in large numbers, 10:43.175 --> 10:45.311 align:left position:25% line:83% size:65% and it overlaps with the coverage area 10:45.311 --> 10:47.380 align:left position:17.5% line:89% size:72.5% of the acoustic recorders. 10:47.380 --> 10:50.983 align:left position:15% line:83% size:75% - [eden] We conduct roughly about 10 to 12 vessel 10:50.983 --> 10:52.251 align:left position:27.5% line:89% size:62.5% in a whale season. 10:52.251 --> 10:53.519 align:left position:25% line:83% size:65% - [narrator] Surveys are scheduled 10:53.519 --> 10:56.255 align:left position:25% line:83% size:65% between December and April of each year 10:56.255 --> 10:59.225 align:left position:17.5% line:83% size:72.5% to capture the beginning, peak, and tail end 10:59.225 --> 11:02.662 align:left position:22.5% line:83% size:67.5% of the humpback whale breeding season. 11:02.662 --> 11:04.964 align:left position:32.5% line:83% size:57.5% - [eden] Each survey is a full day 11:04.964 --> 11:09.435 align:left position:30% line:83% size:60% and we follow a systematic transect line. 11:09.435 --> 11:12.171 align:left position:22.5% line:83% size:67.5% - [narrator] While the boat surveys are underway, 11:12.171 --> 11:14.373 align:left position:27.5% line:89% size:62.5% (low urgent music) 11:14.373 --> 11:17.877 align:left position:25% line:83% size:65% Ph.D. Candidate Anke K gler counts whales 11:17.877 --> 11:27.186 align:left position:12.5% line:83% size:77.5% from an elevated shore station overlooking the same area. 11:27.186 --> 11:28.387 align:left position:12.5% line:89% size:77.5% - [anke] So we try to schedule 11:28.387 --> 11:31.057 align:left position:27.5% line:83% size:62.5% the boat and land days at the same time, 11:31.057 --> 11:34.393 align:left position:27.5% line:83% size:62.5% and I'm also doing additional land surveys. 11:34.393 --> 11:36.729 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% I come up here like once a week 11:36.729 --> 11:42.668 align:left position:12.5% line:83% size:77.5% and I scan the entire area for any humpback whale presence 11:42.668 --> 11:45.971 align:left position:30% line:83% size:60% from about eight o'clock to 2:30, 11:45.971 --> 11:49.475 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% and then I do scans for 30 minutes every hour 11:49.475 --> 11:57.583 align:left position:15% line:83% size:75% and basically try to get the location of every whale I see. 11:57.583 --> 11:59.719 align:left position:27.5% line:83% size:62.5% - [narrator] Once Anke spots a whale, 11:59.719 --> 12:03.556 align:left position:22.5% line:83% size:67.5% she uses a surveyor's instrument called a theodolite 12:03.556 --> 12:06.258 align:left position:17.5% line:83% size:72.5% to measure the horizontal and vertical angle 12:06.258 --> 12:07.793 align:left position:30% line:89% size:60% of its position. 12:07.793 --> 12:11.497 align:left position:12.5% line:83% size:77.5% - [anke] And we can use those angles 12:11.497 --> 12:14.767 align:left position:32.5% line:83% size:57.5% the actual GPS position of the whale. 12:14.767 --> 12:17.169 align:left position:22.5% line:83% size:67.5% It gives us a spatial distribution of the whales 12:17.169 --> 12:19.972 align:left position:15% line:89% size:75% at a given time in the area. 12:19.972 --> 12:22.975 align:left position:15% line:83% size:75% - [marc] By combining these efforts, 12:22.975 --> 12:29.014 align:left position:25% line:83% size:65% is show that between 2015 and 2018, 12:29.014 --> 12:31.517 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% there was approximately a 50% decrease 12:31.517 --> 12:34.220 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% in the number of whales that were occupying 12:34.220 --> 12:36.222 align:left position:25% line:83% size:65% the area that we've been monitoring. 12:36.222 --> 12:38.224 align:left position:17.5% line:83% size:72.5% - [narrator] In the three years that followed, 12:38.224 --> 12:41.527 align:left position:22.5% line:83% size:67.5% the numbers of whales generally increased again, 12:41.527 --> 12:44.263 align:left position:15% line:83% size:75% though scientists say there were some fluctuations 12:44.263 --> 12:46.732 align:left position:12.5% line:89% size:77.5% in the lengths of the seasons. 12:46.732 --> 12:47.967 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% - [anke] I've seen for example, 12:47.967 --> 12:51.137 align:left position:27.5% line:83% size:62.5% like shifts in the peak of the season. 12:51.137 --> 13:01.480 align:left position:15% line:83% size:75% The numbers I'm seeing drop like earlier in some years. 13:01.480 --> 13:03.849 align:left position:22.5% line:83% size:67.5% - [rachel] No, I think there 13:03.849 --> 13:05.117 align:left position:22.5% line:89% size:67.5% Yeah, there was, yeah. 13:05.117 --> 13:07.086 align:left position:27.5% line:83% size:62.5% So just head down towards that way. 13:07.086 --> 13:08.554 align:left position:30% line:83% size:60% - [rachel] Fine. - Yeah. 13:08.554 --> 13:11.090 align:left position:12.5% line:83% size:77.5% - [narrator] Researchers with the Keiki Kohola Project, 13:11.090 --> 13:13.859 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% who focus on mothers and calves, 13:13.859 --> 13:16.962 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% also recorded a drastic decline in whale numbers 13:16.962 --> 13:18.898 align:left position:17.5% line:89% size:72.5% over a three-year period. 13:18.898 --> 13:20.766 align:left position:27.5% line:89% size:62.5% (thoughtful music) 13:20.766 --> 13:24.436 align:left position:12.5% line:83% size:77.5% - [rachel] Our long-term study is a transect-based study, 13:24.436 --> 13:26.605 align:left position:27.5% line:83% size:62.5% which encompasses one of the main areas 13:26.605 --> 13:28.507 align:left position:27.5% line:83% size:62.5% that's favored by mother and calf pairs 13:28.507 --> 13:33.078 align:left position:15% line:83% size:75% when they're in Hawai i, and that's been underway since 2008 13:33.078 --> 13:35.481 align:left position:27.5% line:83% size:62.5% and we do it three times a season. 13:35.481 --> 13:38.751 align:left position:17.5% line:83% size:72.5% Mid-January, mid-February, and mid-March surveys. 13:38.751 --> 13:42.154 align:left position:17.5% line:83% size:72.5% 2016 is when we first saw a really clear decline 13:42.154 --> 13:45.591 align:left position:15% line:83% size:75% in the numbers of whales we were seeing in Hawaiian waters, 13:45.591 --> 13:48.060 align:left position:22.5% line:83% size:67.5% and then over the next two years that played out. 13:48.060 --> 13:54.533 align:left position:22.5% line:83% size:67.5% When we compared 2013 and 14 to 2017 and 18, 13:54.533 --> 13:58.103 align:left position:17.5% line:83% size:72.5% those two-year periods, we were seeing a 76% decrease 13:58.103 --> 13:59.705 align:left position:27.5% line:83% size:62.5% in the numbers of mothers and calves 13:59.705 --> 14:02.241 align:left position:22.5% line:83% size:67.5% that we encountered on those transect lines. 14:02.241 --> 14:03.475 align:left position:30% line:89% size:60% Related to that, 14:03.475 --> 14:06.078 align:left position:22.5% line:83% size:67.5% we also started to see a change in seasonality. 14:06.078 --> 14:09.348 align:left position:17.5% line:83% size:72.5% 2019 was when we first saw our numbers coming back up 14:09.348 --> 14:11.483 align:left position:17.5% line:89% size:72.5% quite healthily in Hawai i 14:11.483 --> 14:14.553 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% and we were getting back to maybe where we were 14:14.553 --> 14:21.026 align:left position:15% line:89% size:75% at the start of the demise. 14:21.026 --> 14:22.695 align:left position:20% line:89% size:70% (plane engine whirring) 14:22.695 --> 14:24.029 align:left position:25% line:83% size:65% - [narrator] Another team of experts 14:24.029 --> 14:25.931 align:left position:20% line:89% size:70% saw similar improvements 14:25.931 --> 14:30.603 align:left position:15% line:83% size:75% when in 2019 and 2020, they conducted aerial surveys 14:30.603 --> 14:32.838 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% to estimate the whales' density. 14:32.838 --> 14:34.640 align:left position:32.5% line:83% size:57.5% (gentle music) (radio chattering) 14:34.640 --> 14:36.242 align:left position:12.5% line:89% size:77.5% This group focused its efforts 14:36.242 --> 14:38.677 align:left position:12.5% line:89% size:77.5% on the entire Maui Nui region, 14:38.677 --> 14:40.880 align:left position:25% line:83% size:65% where humpbacks are known to aggregate 14:40.880 --> 14:44.450 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% in the relatively shallow water. 14:44.450 --> 14:47.453 align:left position:25% line:83% size:65% - [joe] The highest densities of humpbacks 14:47.453 --> 14:50.456 align:left position:30% line:83% size:60% are here between those four islands. 14:50.456 --> 14:53.726 align:left position:12.5% line:83% size:77.5% - [adam] What we've been doing is three aerial surveys, 14:53.726 --> 14:56.729 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% one prior to the peak of the season, one at the peak, 14:56.729 --> 14:58.364 align:left position:27.5% line:89% size:62.5% and one post peak. 14:58.364 --> 14:59.899 align:left position:27.5% line:89% size:62.5% (radio chattering) 14:59.899 --> 15:02.534 align:left position:15% line:83% size:75% - [narrator] The scientists used the same survey methods 15:02.534 --> 15:04.536 align:left position:27.5% line:83% size:62.5% as they did during aerial surveys 15:04.536 --> 15:08.807 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% conducted between 1993 and 2003 15:08.807 --> 15:11.677 align:left position:22.5% line:83% size:67.5% to ensure that results would be comparable. 15:11.677 --> 15:15.047 align:left position:12.5% line:83% size:77.5% At that time, they discovered that the whale population 15:15.047 --> 15:21.120 align:left position:25% line:83% size:65% was increasing at an average rate of 7% per year. 15:21.120 --> 15:26.058 align:left position:17.5% line:83% size:72.5% The 2019 and 2020 surveys, which covered a smaller area, 15:26.058 --> 15:28.894 align:left position:25% line:83% size:65% didn't show the same annual increase, 15:28.894 --> 15:32.932 align:left position:12.5% line:83% size:77.5% but the findings suggest that the population of humpbacks 15:32.932 --> 15:38.170 align:left position:12.5% line:83% size:77.5% that winter in Hawai i appears to be relatively stable. 15:38.170 --> 15:41.874 align:left position:12.5% line:83% size:77.5% - [joe] That's one of the most promising statistics 15:41.874 --> 15:45.010 align:left position:17.5% line:89% size:72.5% that we picked up in 2019. 15:45.010 --> 15:48.213 align:left position:22.5% line:83% size:67.5% There's 9% of the pods that we saw had calves 15:48.213 --> 15:53.018 align:left position:22.5% line:83% size:67.5% and that's higher than it had been in the past. 15:53.018 --> 15:55.254 align:left position:27.5% line:89% size:62.5% (thoughtful music) 15:55.254 --> 15:56.789 align:left position:30% line:89% size:60% (radio beeping) 15:56.789 --> 15:59.158 align:left position:22.5% line:83% size:67.5% - [narrator] Like all their colleagues in Hawai i, 15:59.158 --> 16:02.628 align:left position:22.5% line:83% size:67.5% a network of research partners in southeast Alaska 16:02.628 --> 16:05.364 align:left position:20% line:89% size:70% observed similar trends. 16:05.364 --> 16:11.236 align:left position:15% line:83% size:75% - [andy] We were finding far fewer animals in 2016, 2017, and 16:11.236 --> 16:12.604 align:left position:12.5% line:89% size:77.5% than we had in previous years, 16:12.604 --> 16:14.807 align:left position:25% line:83% size:65% we're seeing record low numbers of calves, 16:14.807 --> 16:16.041 align:left position:32.5% line:83% size:57.5% and we're were finding a large number 16:16.041 --> 16:18.844 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% of skinny and emaciated whales. 16:18.844 --> 16:20.746 align:left position:12.5% line:83% size:77.5% - [john] By the time 2019 came around, 16:20.746 --> 16:22.114 align:left position:25% line:83% size:65% things were looking a little bit better. 16:22.114 --> 16:23.949 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% We started seeing calves again, 16:23.949 --> 16:27.453 align:left position:17.5% line:83% size:72.5% the whales seemed a little bit healthier, looked fatter, 16:27.453 --> 16:29.855 align:left position:27.5% line:83% size:62.5% and we saw numbers increase in the southeast. 16:29.855 --> 16:31.056 align:left position:15% line:89% size:75% In the Prince William Sound, 16:31.056 --> 16:32.891 align:left position:25% line:83% size:65% the numbers have not quite bounced back yet, 16:32.891 --> 16:35.527 align:left position:27.5% line:83% size:62.5% we're still seeing really low, low numbers. 16:35.527 --> 16:37.062 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% - [martin] Glacier Bay National Park, 16:37.062 --> 16:40.165 align:left position:12.5% line:83% size:77.5% they have this incredible data set dating back 30 plus years 16:40.165 --> 16:41.800 align:left position:35% line:83% size:55% of the same individuals coming back 16:41.800 --> 16:44.837 align:left position:25% line:83% size:65% with incredibly high consistent site fidelity. 16:44.837 --> 16:47.806 align:left position:17.5% line:83% size:72.5% And unfortunately, some of their main animals just vanished 16:47.806 --> 16:50.509 align:left position:25% line:83% size:65% and they still have not come back there. 16:50.509 --> 16:52.778 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% - [narrator] So what had happened to the whales 16:52.778 --> 16:55.214 align:left position:12.5% line:89% size:77.5% during that three-year period? 16:55.214 --> 16:58.350 align:left position:15% line:83% size:75% - [adam] There seemed to be three different phenomenon 16:58.350 --> 17:00.953 align:left position:25% line:83% size:65% that were converging at the same time. 17:00.953 --> 17:04.289 align:left position:15% line:83% size:75% One was a strong El Nino and that's a normal phenomenon 17:04.289 --> 17:06.759 align:left position:32.5% line:83% size:57.5% that sometimes occurs, of course. 17:06.759 --> 17:09.028 align:left position:17.5% line:83% size:72.5% - [narrator] In addition, a shift occurred 17:09.028 --> 17:11.764 align:left position:32.5% line:83% size:57.5% in the Pacific Decadal Oscillation, 17:11.764 --> 17:15.367 align:left position:22.5% line:83% size:67.5% a longer-lived pattern of climate variability. 17:15.367 --> 17:18.704 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% - [adam] Which is also a normal kind of warming event, 17:18.704 --> 17:22.207 align:left position:15% line:89% size:75% but on a longer-term scale. 17:22.207 --> 17:24.443 align:left position:27.5% line:83% size:62.5% - [narrator] These two warming events 17:24.443 --> 17:27.913 align:left position:27.5% line:83% size:62.5% coincided with the worst marine heatwave 17:27.913 --> 17:31.884 align:left position:30% line:83% size:60% ever recorded in the North Pacific. 17:31.884 --> 17:34.053 align:left position:15% line:83% size:75% - [rachel] And that created a lens of warm water 17:34.053 --> 17:35.721 align:left position:12.5% line:89% size:77.5% that became known as the blob, 17:35.721 --> 17:38.323 align:left position:27.5% line:83% size:62.5% mainly because it crept very slowly 17:38.323 --> 17:42.528 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% and expanded across the waters of the North Pacific. 17:42.528 --> 17:45.297 align:left position:15% line:83% size:75% - [martin] Putting them all together, 17:45.297 --> 17:47.633 align:left position:12.5% line:83% size:77.5% - [rachel] At that point, you had three levels of warming 17:47.633 --> 17:51.270 align:left position:25% line:83% size:65% that were all going to amplify each other. 17:51.270 --> 17:52.905 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% And once those waters are warm, 17:52.905 --> 17:55.441 align:left position:12.5% line:83% size:77.5% the problem is that they don't turn over at the same rate, 17:55.441 --> 17:59.244 align:left position:22.5% line:83% size:67.5% and so nutrients don't cycle through the water. 17:59.244 --> 18:02.047 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% - [marc] Which then, of course, effect the life 18:02.047 --> 18:04.416 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% that depends on those nutrients. 18:04.416 --> 18:07.086 align:left position:15% line:83% size:75% - [john] It will change the composition of the plankton. 18:07.086 --> 18:09.855 align:left position:22.5% line:83% size:67.5% A lot more warm water species can show up. 18:09.855 --> 18:11.023 align:left position:27.5% line:83% size:62.5% They don't have as much fat in them, 18:11.023 --> 18:13.692 align:left position:30% line:83% size:60% so that in turn means less fatty food 18:13.692 --> 18:15.928 align:left position:30% line:83% size:60% for things like krill and herring, 18:15.928 --> 18:18.797 align:left position:17.5% line:83% size:72.5% which makes it harder for those those animals to make it. 18:18.797 --> 18:22.000 align:left position:15% line:83% size:75% - [narrator] In essence, the food the whales depend on 18:22.000 --> 18:25.571 align:left position:25% line:83% size:65% while in Alaska had been drastically reduced 18:25.571 --> 18:29.408 align:left position:25% line:83% size:65% in the areas they're known to frequent. 18:29.408 --> 18:30.976 align:left position:30% line:83% size:60% - [john] They're feeding on krill, 18:30.976 --> 18:32.411 align:left position:15% line:89% size:75% little shrimp-like creature 18:32.411 --> 18:34.813 align:left position:30% line:83% size:60% that get really dense aggregations, 18:34.813 --> 18:36.148 align:left position:17.5% line:89% size:72.5% and, small schooling fish. 18:36.148 --> 18:38.650 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% So things like herring, capelin, sand lance, 18:38.650 --> 18:40.752 align:left position:27.5% line:83% size:62.5% sometimes they eat juvenile salmon. 18:40.752 --> 18:43.288 align:left position:27.5% line:83% size:62.5% So it's, fish and krill is the main diet. 18:43.288 --> 18:45.023 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% - [marc] The first year that we noticed these changes, 18:45.023 --> 18:47.526 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% there were an unusually high number of reports 18:47.526 --> 18:51.296 align:left position:15% line:83% size:75% of dead whales, both here in Hawai i, but also in Alaska, 18:51.296 --> 18:53.198 align:left position:25% line:83% size:65% but we didn't think that it was enough 18:53.198 --> 18:56.768 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% to explain the decrease in whale numbers. 18:56.768 --> 18:57.970 align:left position:12.5% line:83% size:77.5% - [martin] These whales follow food. 18:57.970 --> 19:00.005 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% So if we're seeing less sightings of animals 19:00.005 --> 19:02.241 align:left position:27.5% line:83% size:62.5% in areas that are really well-researched, 19:02.241 --> 19:03.509 align:left position:22.5% line:89% size:67.5% there's a good chance 19:03.509 --> 19:06.111 align:left position:22.5% line:83% size:67.5% that these whales have been moved elsewhere. 19:06.111 --> 19:09.481 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% They could be utilizing offshore areas a little bit more. 19:09.481 --> 19:12.217 align:left position:22.5% line:83% size:67.5% There's certainly far less research effort 19:12.217 --> 19:15.654 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% out in these rough open waters. 19:15.654 --> 19:16.922 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% - [marc] And during the breeding season, 19:16.922 --> 19:19.124 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% it could well be that a certain number of whales 19:19.124 --> 19:21.593 align:left position:15% line:83% size:75% just didn't have enough fuel in their tank, so to speak, 19:21.593 --> 19:23.462 align:left position:22.5% line:83% size:67.5% to make the migration to the breeding grounds, 19:23.462 --> 19:26.498 align:left position:27.5% line:83% size:62.5% and so it would be a wasted effort. 19:26.498 --> 19:28.800 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% - [narrator] Scientists say it's also possible 19:28.800 --> 19:30.536 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% that some of the whales migrated 19:30.536 --> 19:32.638 align:left position:25% line:83% size:65% to one of the other known feeding grounds 19:32.638 --> 19:34.206 align:left position:22.5% line:89% size:67.5% in the North Pacific, 19:34.206 --> 19:38.043 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% or possibly went to the northwestern Hawaiian Islands 19:38.043 --> 19:41.079 align:left position:12.5% line:89% size:77.5% where there is no monitoring. 19:41.079 --> 19:43.348 align:left position:17.5% line:83% size:72.5% - [martin] As the climate changes, a 19:43.348 --> 19:45.551 align:left position:17.5% line:83% size:72.5% that these sorts of events are becoming more frequent, 19:45.551 --> 19:48.620 align:left position:17.5% line:83% size:72.5% and if this was a reaction to this sort of event, 19:48.620 --> 19:51.957 align:left position:22.5% line:83% size:67.5% now what happens when this becomes the norm? 19:51.957 --> 19:55.861 align:left position:17.5% line:83% size:72.5% - [adam] I think that this really 19:55.861 --> 19:59.064 align:left position:17.5% line:89% size:72.5% or the tip of the iceberg. 19:59.064 --> 20:01.733 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% - [narrator] Knowing the impact the severe marine heatwave 20:01.733 --> 20:05.037 align:left position:22.5% line:83% size:67.5% had on the whales made scientists want to learn more 20:05.037 --> 20:08.006 align:left position:17.5% line:83% size:72.5% about the animals' health and body condition, 20:08.006 --> 20:10.776 align:left position:25% line:83% size:65% and how that changes over the course of a year 20:10.776 --> 20:13.345 align:left position:17.5% line:89% size:72.5% as well as between years. 20:13.345 --> 20:15.180 align:left position:15% line:83% size:75% - [martin] Unfortunately, we still 20:15.180 --> 20:17.583 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% what a healthy humpback whale looks like. 20:17.583 --> 20:19.785 align:left position:30% line:83% size:60% So for us to be able to figure out 20:19.785 --> 20:21.853 align:left position:12.5% line:89% size:77.5% when a population is impacted, 20:21.853 --> 20:23.956 align:left position:25% line:83% size:65% we need to know what the baseline is. 20:23.956 --> 20:26.024 align:left position:30% line:89% size:60% (water spraying) 20:26.024 --> 20:33.398 align:left position:27.5% line:89% size:62.5% (low urgent music) 20:33.398 --> 20:34.900 align:left position:22.5% line:89% size:67.5% - [narrator] To do so, 20:34.900 --> 20:37.402 align:left position:17.5% line:83% size:72.5% scientists from the Marine Mammal Research Program 20:37.402 --> 20:40.105 align:left position:27.5% line:83% size:62.5% at the University of Hawai i at Manoa 20:40.105 --> 20:42.574 align:left position:17.5% line:83% size:72.5% are collaborating closely with other experts 20:42.574 --> 20:44.876 align:left position:22.5% line:89% size:67.5% in Hawai i and Alaska. 20:44.876 --> 20:47.679 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% Ph.D. student Martin van Aswegen 20:47.679 --> 20:51.583 align:left position:17.5% line:83% size:72.5% spends each April through October in southeast Alaska 20:51.583 --> 20:56.288 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% conducting research with the Alaska Whale Foundation. 20:56.288 --> 20:59.491 align:left position:15% line:83% size:75% - [andy] We're studying the distribution of the animals, 20:59.491 --> 21:01.059 align:left position:12.5% line:89% size:77.5% the abundance of the animals, 21:01.059 --> 21:03.495 align:left position:17.5% line:83% size:72.5% looking at the numbers of calves they're producing, 21:03.495 --> 21:05.797 align:left position:25% line:83% size:65% and how that changes across the season. 21:05.797 --> 21:06.732 align:left position:30% line:89% size:60% (drone whirring) 21:06.732 --> 21:11.536 align:left position:15% line:89% size:75% - [martin] Three, two, one. 21:11.536 --> 21:13.839 align:left position:17.5% line:83% size:72.5% - [narrator] In addition, Martin is collecting 21:13.839 --> 21:17.442 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% regular measurements of the animals from the air. 21:17.442 --> 21:19.778 align:left position:15% line:83% size:75% - [martin] We're using these drones to noninvasively 21:19.778 --> 21:22.914 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% get over the top of the whales as they're surfacing. 21:22.914 --> 21:25.150 align:left position:25% line:83% size:65% And as they surface, we can get a video, 21:25.150 --> 21:28.553 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% a high-resolution image of their body contours 21:28.553 --> 21:30.055 align:left position:27.5% line:83% size:62.5% so we can see how long the whale is, 21:30.055 --> 21:32.691 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% but also how wide the animal is, 21:32.691 --> 21:34.826 align:left position:32.5% line:83% size:57.5% and using some software that we have, 21:34.826 --> 21:37.062 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% we can measure the total length of the animal, 21:37.062 --> 21:38.330 align:left position:22.5% line:89% size:67.5% as well as the width, 21:38.330 --> 21:40.932 align:left position:25% line:83% size:65% across 20 different points on the body. 21:40.932 --> 21:42.734 align:left position:25% line:83% size:65% We can do this again and again and again, 21:42.734 --> 21:45.003 align:left position:22.5% line:83% size:67.5% with the same animals and different animals, 21:45.003 --> 21:46.705 align:left position:27.5% line:83% size:62.5% and this allows us to see how quickly 21:46.705 --> 21:49.141 align:left position:12.5% line:89% size:77.5% these whales are gaining mass. 21:49.141 --> 21:51.310 align:left position:25% line:83% size:65% Their job up here is essentially just to gain 21:51.310 --> 21:53.545 align:left position:30% line:83% size:60% as much mass and weight as they can 21:53.545 --> 21:56.214 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% in preparation for when they start to migrate south 21:56.214 --> 21:57.883 align:left position:22.5% line:89% size:67.5% when they're fasting. 21:57.883 --> 22:00.118 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% - [lars] So we're trying to estimate how much 22:00.118 --> 22:03.789 align:left position:12.5% line:83% size:77.5% they need to feed up in their foraging grounds, so Alaska, 22:03.789 --> 22:07.893 align:left position:15% line:83% size:75% and what is the cost of the migration down here to Hawai i? 22:07.893 --> 22:09.294 align:left position:17.5% line:83% size:72.5% - [martin] In addition to our 22:09.294 --> 22:11.296 align:left position:27.5% line:83% size:62.5% we're sampling in Hawaii as well. 22:11.296 --> 22:14.099 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% We're sampling January, February, March. 22:14.099 --> 22:15.867 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% Some of the measurements that we're getting 22:15.867 --> 22:18.503 align:left position:22.5% line:83% size:67.5% are quite surprising, things like adults losing 22:18.503 --> 22:21.239 align:left position:27.5% line:83% size:62.5% up to 28 inches of their body width 22:21.239 --> 22:23.375 align:left position:22.5% line:83% size:67.5% while on the breeding grounds, for example, 22:23.375 --> 22:24.509 align:left position:17.5% line:89% size:72.5% and that's without a calf, 22:24.509 --> 22:28.013 align:left position:32.5% line:83% size:57.5% that's just a regular mature adult. 22:28.013 --> 22:31.283 align:left position:25% line:83% size:65% - [narrator] Between 2018 and 2021, 22:31.283 --> 22:35.220 align:left position:12.5% line:83% size:77.5% Martin captured approximately 4,100 measurements 22:35.220 --> 22:39.891 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% of over 3,200 humpbacks in Hawai i and Alaska. 22:39.891 --> 22:41.727 align:left position:12.5% line:89% size:77.5% This includes repeat sightings 22:41.727 --> 22:46.231 align:left position:17.5% line:83% size:72.5% of more than 80 individual animals in both locations 22:46.231 --> 22:48.800 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% within six months of each other. 22:48.800 --> 22:52.337 align:left position:12.5% line:83% size:77.5% - [andy] The way you recognize an individual whale 22:52.337 --> 22:56.108 align:left position:12.5% line:83% size:77.5% is by looking at the underside of its tail, its fluke. 22:56.108 --> 23:00.345 align:left position:15% line:83% size:75% Every whale has unique black and white pigmentation patterns 23:00.345 --> 23:02.848 align:left position:25% line:83% size:65% and the shape of the trailing edge of the fluke. 23:02.848 --> 23:04.483 align:left position:27.5% line:89% size:62.5% (low urgent music) 23:04.483 --> 23:06.251 align:left position:27.5% line:83% size:62.5% - [narrator] Whale experts from all over 23:06.251 --> 23:09.287 align:left position:32.5% line:83% size:57.5% have long used photographs of the flukes 23:09.287 --> 23:10.622 align:left position:25% line:89% size:65% as a way to identify 23:10.622 --> 23:14.559 align:left position:22.5% line:83% size:67.5% the individual animals they're studying. 23:14.559 --> 23:19.798 align:left position:27.5% line:83% size:62.5% New technology has revolutionized this 23:19.798 --> 23:21.233 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% - [lars] Very recently, a research group 23:21.233 --> 23:23.001 align:left position:17.5% line:83% size:72.5% has started an initiative called Happy Whale, 23:23.001 --> 23:25.137 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% which is a software that allows 23:25.137 --> 23:28.940 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% automatic detection and matching of fluke shots, 23:28.940 --> 23:32.978 align:left position:15% line:83% size:75% which is very time-consuming with with the naked eye. 23:32.978 --> 23:35.313 align:left position:22.5% line:83% size:67.5% - [narrator] Now whale researchers everywhere 23:35.313 --> 23:37.282 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% can not only upload their images 23:37.282 --> 23:41.853 align:left position:17.5% line:83% size:72.5% for faster identification within their database, 23:41.853 --> 23:44.122 align:left position:15% line:83% size:75% but they're also able to see if any of their colleagues 23:44.122 --> 23:46.158 align:left position:27.5% line:83% size:62.5% have seen the same whale elsewhere. 23:46.158 --> 23:47.592 align:left position:27.5% line:89% size:62.5% (water splashing) 23:47.592 --> 23:49.528 align:left position:12.5% line:83% size:77.5% - [lars] This new Happy Whale initiative is really helpful 23:49.528 --> 23:51.396 align:left position:27.5% line:83% size:62.5% for all of us as a research community 23:51.396 --> 23:55.934 align:left position:25% line:83% size:65% to try to understand the movement patterns 23:55.934 --> 23:57.436 align:left position:30% line:83% size:60% (water spraying) (gentle music) 23:57.436 --> 23:59.738 align:left position:17.5% line:83% size:72.5% - [narrator] In addition, the scientists collect 23:59.738 --> 24:03.542 align:left position:12.5% line:83% size:77.5% small tissue biopsies of some of the whales they measure. 24:03.542 --> 24:06.378 align:left position:25% line:83% size:65% This allows them to study the animals' diet, 24:06.378 --> 24:08.079 align:left position:17.5% line:89% size:72.5% look at their fat stores, 24:08.079 --> 24:11.049 align:left position:30% line:83% size:60% and determine if females are pregnant. 24:11.049 --> 24:13.218 align:left position:25% line:83% size:65% - [lars] The biopsy samples also tell us 24:13.218 --> 24:16.621 align:left position:12.5% line:83% size:77.5% about different stress levels in these animals as well. 24:16.621 --> 24:20.025 align:left position:12.5% line:83% size:77.5% - [adam] As a whale is fasting and losing its body mass, 24:20.025 --> 24:24.663 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% it should be increasing in its stress levels. 24:24.663 --> 24:25.597 align:left position:32.5% line:89% size:57.5% This part was. 24:25.597 --> 24:26.965 align:left position:20% line:89% size:70% What we're interested in 24:26.965 --> 24:30.836 align:left position:25% line:83% size:65% is kind of measuring a baseline for that, 24:30.836 --> 24:34.039 align:left position:25% line:83% size:65% so that when climate events occur, 24:34.039 --> 24:36.575 align:left position:27.5% line:83% size:62.5% we have something to compare it with. 24:36.575 --> 24:37.609 align:left position:32.5% line:89% size:57.5% (regal music) 24:37.609 --> 24:39.211 align:left position:22.5% line:89% size:67.5% - [martin] Coming up. 24:39.211 --> 24:40.045 align:left position:37.5% line:89% size:52.5% Take off. 24:40.045 --> 24:41.613 align:left position:30% line:89% size:60% (drone whirring) 24:41.613 --> 24:43.148 align:left position:35% line:89% size:55% One o'clock. 24:43.148 --> 24:46.084 align:left position:17.5% line:83% size:72.5% - [narrator] Whale experts in Alaska and Hawai i 24:46.084 --> 24:50.288 align:left position:15% line:83% size:75% are relieved to see that the humpbacks seem to be recovering 24:50.288 --> 24:54.292 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% from the impacts of the recent marine heatwave. 24:54.292 --> 24:58.463 align:left position:25% line:83% size:65% But, they say, they are also keenly aware 24:58.463 --> 25:02.200 align:left position:25% line:83% size:65% that they need to be prepared for the future. 25:02.200 --> 25:03.969 align:left position:17.5% line:83% size:72.5% - [andy] People who study these warm water events 25:03.969 --> 25:06.137 align:left position:17.5% line:83% size:72.5% predict that they're gonna happen more frequently 25:06.137 --> 25:09.107 align:left position:17.5% line:83% size:72.5% and they're gonna be more persistent and last for longer 25:09.107 --> 25:11.943 align:left position:25% line:83% size:65% moving forward as a result of climate change, 25:11.943 --> 25:13.645 align:left position:27.5% line:83% size:62.5% and so that gives us a lot of concern 25:13.645 --> 25:17.883 align:left position:17.5% line:83% size:72.5% that what we saw in those years, 2016 to 2018, 25:17.883 --> 25:22.087 align:left position:22.5% line:83% size:67.5% will almost certainly happen again. 25:22.087 --> 25:26.091 align:left position:12.5% line:83% size:77.5% - [adam] It makes us aware of being 25:26.091 --> 25:28.760 align:left position:17.5% line:83% size:72.5% and how we need to really use these different tools 25:28.760 --> 25:30.095 align:left position:17.5% line:89% size:72.5% that we're using right now 25:30.095 --> 25:33.632 align:left position:22.5% line:83% size:67.5% to continue to monitor the population. 25:33.632 --> 25:36.768 align:left position:12.5% line:83% size:77.5% And collectively being able to monitor not just the whales, 25:36.768 --> 25:39.204 align:left position:22.5% line:83% size:67.5% but the environmental factors as well 25:39.204 --> 25:41.206 align:left position:20% line:89% size:70% is going to be critical. 25:41.206 --> 25:43.808 align:left position:32.5% line:89% size:57.5% (regal music) 25:43.808 --> 25:48.547 align:left position:30% line:89% size:60% (whale calling) 25:48.547 --> 25:56.955 align:left position:27.5% line:89% size:62.5% (inspiring music) 25:56.955 --> 26:10.402 align:left position:30% line:89% size:60% (water rushing) 26:10.402 --> 26:15.340 align:left position:30% line:89% size:60% (drone whirring) 26:15.340 --> 26:19.210 align:left position:30% line:89% size:60% (water spraying) 26:19.210 --> 26:21.012 align:left position:25% line:83% size:65% - [announcer] Major funding for this program 26:21.012 --> 26:24.015 align:left position:25% line:83% size:65% was provided by The Batchelor Foundation, 26:24.015 --> 26:26.818 align:left position:22.5% line:83% size:67.5% encouraging people to preserve and protect 26:26.818 --> 26:30.789 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% America's underwater resources. 26:30.789 --> 26:32.824 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% Additional funding was provided 26:32.824 --> 26:39.164 align:left position:12.5% line:83% size:77.5% by the Parrot Family Endowment for Environmental Education. 26:39.164 --> 26:43.164 align:left position:32.5% line:89% size:57.5% (upbeat music)