Humpback whales were found wintering in waters further north than known before. NOAA scientists found humpbacks in shallow water areas of the Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument (aks Northwest Hawaiian Islands) for the first time. This past March, small calves were seen by NOAA scientists accompanying some whales, as well as breeding behaviors (humping humpbacks and attendent loud sounds of very happy whales). This finding documents a significant (possibly new) area being used by the whales to go forth and multiply. It’s also siginificant in that the reserve will allow the whales to do this in a nearly undisturbed area. No damn boatloads of tourists in whale watching boats harassing the whales up there!
