Humpback whale season is here and so is the NOAA HI Islands Humpback Whale NMS poster! #SaveSpectacular

Take a look for yourself, and download the poster today!

sanctuaries.noaa.gov/posters/hawaii…

Whales, turtles, fish, oh my! There’s lots to see here in our sanctuary waters, including brightly colored reef fish like the parrotfish.

Parrotfish will be featured on our #SaveSpectacular poster, along with many other reef species.

📸: G. P. Schmahl/NOAA

We’re excited to release our #SaveSpectacular poster later this week, featuring the spectacular humpback whale! Did you know that our sanctuary is the only one in the Sanctuaries (NOAA) system that focuses on a single species?

📷: J. Moore / NOAA (MMHSRP permit # 20311)

Last year, Sanctuaries (NOAA) celebrated their 50th anniversary, and our sanctuary celebrated its 30th. We will release our highly anticipated commemorative poster on Jan. 11 to celebrate these milestones. 🎉

📸: E. Lyman – HIHWNMS/ NOAA Permit # 774-1714

🌊 What did we learn this year? Our Alliance partner @EVnautilus have shared their highlights from 2023, including the people and technologies that made it all possible.

🎥 Check it out:
youtube.pulse.ly/bpgmuva42m

Tako Tuesday! 🐙

Did you know that 'tako', a common word for octopus here in Hawaii, is actually of Japanese origin? The Hawaiian word for octopus is 'he’e'.

Either way, we're loving this photo from our 2023 Get Into Your Sanctuary photo contest!

What do historic sunken warships and a charming dumbo octopus have in common?

Click here to find out: sanctuaries.noaa.gov/.../ala-aumoan…

📷: Ocean Exploration Trust/NOAA

Last month, Sanctuary staff member Maria Harvey flew to Hawaii Island to lead a multi-day training for large whale entanglement response. 13 trainees took part in learning whale disentanglement techniques and participated in hands-on on-water training.
📸: Maria Harvey

Each winter, thousands of humpback whales travel to NOAA HI Islands Humpback Whale NMS to find mates, calve, and nurse their young. Scientists estimate that up to 12,000 whales return to Hawaiian waters from November through May.

hawaiihumpbackwhale.noaa.gov/protect/

📸: Ed Lyman/NOAA

Go slow, whales below!

With the return of humpback whales, or Koholā, to Hawaiʻi waters, we want to remind ocean users to keep a safe & legal distance of at least 100 yards from whales, and reduce vessel speed.

📷: J. Moore/NOAA permit 15240

These #spooky creatures feeding on this decaying whale are here to wish you a Happy #Halloween !

When a whale dies at sea, its body sinks to the seafloor. Whale falls serve as an important food source for animals from sharks to worms and can feed communities for years to decades.

Today is the FIRST EVER #NationalMarineSanctuaryDay ! 🌊

#OnThisDay in 1972, Congress enacted the Marine Protection, Research & Sanctuaries Act. Today, our system of underwater parks spans over 620,000 sq mi of our ocean & Great Lakes. Celebrate with us at NationalMarineSanctuaryDay.org

The Marine Mammal Protection Act turns 51 this weekend! 🎉
We’re celebrating by shining the spotlight on Hawaiian monk seals 🦭, and the successful conservation and recovery efforts that have cut their rate of population decline in half! fisheries.noaa.gov/species/hawaii…

Did you know that climate change is one of the greatest threats to coral reefs? This #ClimateWeek , learn how you can do your part to shrink your carbon footprint and help preserve our precious underwater ecosystems.
oceanservice.noaa.gov/facts/coralree…

LIKE THIS FOR LUCK! For some folks, #FridayThe13th is known as an unlucky day.

Luckily, a #dolphin has long been seen by seafarers as a positive omen and a symbol of protection. Take some good luck today for your #FinFriday ! ow.ly/W7co50PV4yc

Join us this Saturday, Oct. 14th at Kaua`i Ocean Discovery!
In celebration of the current Hōkūle'a Moananuiākea pan-Pacific voyage, a free wa’a (canoe) model building event will be hosted by KOD.

You still have a chance to be heard 📢! The comment period for the proposed critical habitat designation for green sea turtles in the Pacific closes in 1 week on 10/17. Learn more about the proposed rule and how to comment: fisheries.noaa.gov/action/propose… #criticalhabitat #TurtleTuesday

Meet some of our Hawaiian Monk Seal Matriarchs! This article from NOAA Fisheries PIRO honors the trailblazing female monk seals who have significantly helped build the seal population in the main Hawaiian Islands.
fisheries.noaa.gov/feature-story/…
📸: NOAA Fisheries

Happy #NationalTacoDay 🌮! Need dinner ideas? Throw this delicious Peruvian-style taʻape ceviche into a shell or tortilla! Then give your brain some dessert by learning how this non-native fish could contribute to Hawai’i food security: fisheries.noaa.gov/feature-story/… #SeafoodMonth

Feeling a little crabby? You're in good company!

Hermit crabs can be found in many of your national marine sanctuaries. These tiny crustaceans use empty shells to protect themselves. As they get bigger, they move into larger, more accommodating shells.
📸: NOAA