This past year has been incredibly challenging for our community The devastating wildfires left a deep impact, and our hearts go out to all who have suffered losses But even throughout the hardship, I’ve been amazed by the strength and kindness that have emerged. We saw people come together to support one another, and through it all, the spirit of this community has shone through
At Whale Trust, we had our own set of challenges But thanks to the dedication of our team and the incredible support from our partners and donors, we managed to push through and complete a successful field season.
One of the year ’ s bright spots was Whale Tales, which came at just the right time The event brought people together to reconnect, share stories, and celebrate the beauty of our ocean and its wildlife. It wasn’t just a chance to focus on our research, but it was also a moment to gather and find some hope Through our Whale Tales Beneficiary Fund, we were also able to give back, helping with the restoration of Lahaina and supporting our community’s recovery It was a reminder that even during tough times that we can make a difference when we come together.
I’m incredibly grateful for the continued support of our Whale Trust family You’ve helped us get through one of the hardest times our community has ever faced, and we truly couldn’t have done it without you Your generosity kept us moving forward, and it means that we ’ re not only continuing our work but building a stronger future. As we look ahead, I feel hopeful knowing that together, we can keep protecting our ocean and the wildlife that call it home
Thank you for standing by us Here’s to a better and brighter year ahead.
Mahalo nui,
Dr Meagan Jones Gray Executive Director Whale Trust
Year 1 exceeded expectations for the collection of humpback whale songs across the North Pacific Ocean – songs were recorded on 120 days at 13 sites in six countries from September 2023 through May 2024! Year 1 analyses began in June 2024 and the preliminary results are intriguing! From the analysis completed to date, it is clear the song evolved in composition in different locations, and that some phrases “traveled’ to locations where they were not present the previous year (as determined by our 2022-23 analysis). Stay tuned! Specific examples will be revealed at this year’s Whale Tales event (you can stream it even if you can’t join us in person)!
Year1Update(continued)
The locations where Year 1 song recordings were made are illustrated in the map below Songs were collected in 13 locations in six countries: Philippines (Babyuan Islands); Japan (Okinawa, Ogasawara, Mikura); USA (SE Alaska, Hawai’i , California); Canada (Vancouver Island), Mexico (Nayarit, Los Cabos, Revillagigedo Is.), El Salvador, and Nicaragua.
LookingAheadtoYear2
Year 2 of the study began with the first song recording from Glacier Bay in September 2024 and songs have been heard daily off Vancouver Island and in Monterey Bay. Remote recordings are underway at these locations now. Humpback whale song was heard off Maui on November 18, 2024 by one of our whale watching partners, Teralani, who has been listening daily for us since November 1st Our field season is expected to begin November 25th so we can capture the early season of humpback whale songs in Hawai’i.
Participants in Year 1
Japan: Mikura Island
Kazunobo Kogi, Kie Inoue
México: Los Cabos, Bahia Banderas, Archipiélago de Revillagigedo
Investigating the Underlying Biology Behind Breeding Behavior
UnderstandingWhaleBehaviorthroughHormones
The hormone study is a collaborative research project between Whale Trust and the University of California, Santa Cruz, forming the foundation of Haley Robb Spears' doctoral research. The goal is to investigate how the reproductive state of humpback whales influences mating strategies and male/female interactions during the breeding season. By analyzing steroid hormones secreted into the blubber, we can gain insight into the female reproductive cycle. Male hormones also vary with social status and behavior, which helps us better understand male breeding behavior The relationship between reproductive state and behavior provides a more comprehensive understanding of reproduction in humpback whales.
FieldSeasonUpdates Hawai’i
We collected 82blubberbiopsy samples from humpbacks across various reproductive classes during the Hawai’i field season. We targeted group types and roles that had fewer samples to ensure a balanced dataset These samples allow us to examine hormonal fluctuations throughout the breeding season among humpbacks with different reproductive statuses and social dynamics.
For the first time, we paired body measurement data with biopsy samples for 15 individuals. Aerial drone images were used to collect body measurements when the whales surfaced By correlating hormone levels with body measurements, we can explore how the size and condition (e.g., fat or lean) of a whale influence its hormonal state and reproductive success.
Field Season Updates from Alaska
Alaska
Hormone levels in males and females outside of the breeding season, while foraging in Alaska, provide a necessary baseline for comparison with breeding season data Southeast Alaska is of particular interest because many humpback whales from this region migrate to Hawai’i for breeding, making it possible to recapture individuals in both locations. This summer, we completed our second consecutive field season in Southeast Alaska, collecting 28 biopsy samples in just five days! Notably, three whales sampled in Alaska were previously biopsied in Hawai’i one of them was initially sampled in February, another in 2022, and a third - a female, was sampled in 2019 and again in 2024, having calved in 2020. This continuity is incredibly valuable for understanding longterm hormonal cycling. Additionally, we biopsied a whale that had been sampled in both the 2023 and 2024 Alaska field seasons.
Looking Ahead to the 2025 Field Season
Sample analysis has been completed for all the samples collected to date. The next step is statistical analysis to identify patterns and relationships between behavioral and reproductive states The upcoming field season will be the final opportunity to collect biopsy samples for Haley's doctoral research Future research may also explore incorporating more drone work, though plans for that are still being finalized.
WhaleTales2024
Whale Tales 2024 brought the community together for a weekend of learning, storytelling, and conservation. The event welcomed over 1,000 attendees who enjoyed presentations from leading scientists, photographers, and conservationists sharing the latest discoveries in whale research. This year, Whale Tales gave back to the community through its Beneficiary Fund, supporting the restoration of Lahaina and local environmental efforts. We were able to contribute funds to several important projects, including water quality initiatives and cultural preservation. Since its founding in 2006, Whale Tales has raised over $1 2 million dollars for whale research, directly supporting initiatives that advance our understanding and protection of whales and our ocean. The 2024 gathering not only celebrated the wonders of the ocean but also strengthened the bonds within our community, highlighting the shared commitment to protecting marine life and supporting Maui’s recovery.
Total Event Revenue
Total Event Expenses
Reserve Fund (Release)
BringingWhalesto WestMaui Classrooms
The Whale Tales Education Program has been a core part of Whale Tales since 2006, inspiring West Maui’s elementary and intermediate students to become active stewards of the environment. Bringing back this program took on even greater significance following the devastating losses in West Maui, including the destruction of King Kamehameha III Elementary School This year, 172 students participated, allowing us to offer support to teachers and keiki while fostering a deeper connection to the marine ecosystem that surrounds their island home.
The program began with classroom visits led by Whale Trust, followed by a half-day field trip at The Ritz-Carlton Maui, Kapalua. During the field trip, students rotated through six hands-on STEAM workshops, which included: touring a life-sized inflatable humpback whale, learning whale disentanglement techniques with the Hawai’ian Islands National Marine Sanctuary, exploring the use of drones and technology in whale research, creating their own humpback songs, and meeting ocean explorer Jean-Michel Cousteau to learn more about how they can protect the ocean.
The day concluded with a special performance by the We The Shine Keiki Choir from Pōmaika
