HICEAS: Hawaiian Islands Cetacean and Ecosystem Assessment Survey

HICEAS Hilite: Close Encounters of the Rare Kind - The Longman’s Beaked Whale aka Indopacetus

Indopacetus pacificus, or the Longman’s beaked whale, is one of the most rarely seen species of beaked whale.

October 04, 2017 - Research ,

Pacific Islands

The setting sun highlights the puffy blows characteristic of Indopacetus. Credit: NOAA Fisheries/Amanda Bradford (Permit #20311)

From Graduate Studies in Beaufort, North Carolina, to Measuring Seas in Hawaii with the Beaufort Scale

HICEAS: Hawaiian Islands Cetacean and Ecosystem Assessment Survey

Two 3rd-year PhD students each participated on a leg of HICEAS 2017 as visiting scientists.

September 27, 2017 - Research ,

Pacific Islands

Joe Fader (second from left) assists with Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) operations. Credit: NOAA Fisheries/Adam Ü (Permit #20311)

Making Science Happen: The Officers and Crew of the Oscar Elton Sette

HICEAS: Hawaiian Islands Cetacean and Ecosystem Assessment Survey

The objective of the NOAA Ship Oscar Elton Sette is simple: provide a platform to conduct research for the Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center.

September 14, 2017 - Research ,

Pacific Islands

The NOAA Ship Oscar Elton Sette – our floating village! Photo credit: NOAA Fisheries/Adam Ü.

HICEAS Hilite: Diving into the Secret Lives of Short-Finned Pilot Whales

HICEAS: Hawaiian Islands Cetacean and Ecosystem Assessment Survey

Short-finned pilot whales in Hawaiian waters are the Naisa type, which is distinguisable by its square head.

September 08, 2017 - Research ,

Pacific Islands

Short-finned pilot whales spend most of their lives in pairs, or dyads, and in close companionship with a small group of other animals. Credit: NOAA Fisheries/Adam Ü (Permit #20311)

Off to a Great Start: The First Leg of HICEAS is Complete

HICEAS: Hawaiian Islands Cetacean and Ecosystem Assessment Survey

The HICEAS project completed its first survey "leg", with a total of 7 survey legs aboard two NOAA Ships planned from June through December 2017.

September 06, 2017 - Research ,

Pacific Islands

The HICEAS leg 1 science party—an intrepid group of 15 scientists including mammal and seabird observers, acousticians, unmanned aircraft system (UAS) pilots, and our NOAA Teacher At Sea. Credit: NOAA Fisheries/Hung “Doc” Tran

How a Land-locked Teacher gets an A+ and Sea-Salty Memories for Life

HICEAS: Hawaiian Islands Cetacean and Ecosystem Assessment Survey

Teacher at Sea Staci DeSchryver is the MVP of HICEAS Leg 1.

August 21, 2017 - Research ,

Pacific Islands

Acoustician Erik Norris and Staci DeSchryver prepare to deploy the hydrophone array for nighttime eavesdropping on vocalizing cetaceans. Credit: NOAA Fisheries/Amanda Bradford

HICEAS Hilite: Killer Whales in the Tropics

HICEAS: Hawaiian Islands Cetacean and Ecosystem Assessment Survey

A rare encounter with killer whales in Hawaiian waters.

August 01, 2017 - Research ,

Pacific Islands

Killer whales approaching the Sette northwest of Nihoa in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands on July 18. Credit: NOAA Fisheries/Adam Ü (Permit #20311)

Eavesdropping on the Ocean: A Day in the Life of a Cetacean Acoustician

HICEAS: Hawaiian Islands Cetacean and Ecosystem Assessment Survey

Acousticians are essential to cetacean surveys.

July 28, 2017 - Research ,

Pacific Islands

Acoustician Erik Norris and NOAA Teacher at Sea Staci DeSchryver hard at work deploying the towed array system off the stern (back) of the boat for nighttime eavesdropping. Credit: NOAA Fisheries/Amanda Bradford

Made Ya Look!

HICEAS: Hawaiian Islands Cetacean and Ecosystem Assessment Survey

Visual observers are essential to cetacean surveys.

July 21, 2017 - Research ,

Pacific Islands

Senior Observer Ernesto Vázquez uses “big eye” binoculars to search for cetaceans. Credit: NOAA Fisheries/Staci DeSchryver

Ready, Set, Load! What Does it Take to Prepare for a 187-Day Research Mission?

HICEAS: Hawaiian Islands Cetacean and Ecosystem Assessment Survey

The 2017 Hawaiian Islands Cetacean and Ecosystem Assessment Survey is a six-month survey for cetaceans and seabirds within the U.S. waters of the Hawaiian Islands.

July 19, 2017 - Research ,

Pacific Islands

Early morning hustle and bustle getting the NOAA ship Oscar Elton Sette ready for HICEAS. Credit: NOAA Fisheries/Rachel Holton

"HICEAS: Hawaiian Islands Cetacean and Ecosystem Assessment Survey"

HICEAS: Hawaiian Islands Cetacean and Ecosystem Assessment Survey Results