Permits & Protection
Humpback Whales are Protected
Humpback whales are currently protected in the United States by the Endangered Species Act (1973) and the Marine Mammal Protection Act (1972).
Conducting research on humpback whales in Hawaii requires scientific research permits authorized by the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Fisheries and the State of Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR).
Boats in Hawaii that have the necessary permits and authorization to conduct research with humpback whales in Hawaii are marked by a yellow flag that is prominently displayed from the research boat.
All the photos and Whale Trust research projects discussed on this website have been part of research conducted in accordance with federal and state permit regulations. Whale Trust researchers currently work under NOAA Fisheries permit #753-1599-01 and State of Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources Permit #SH2007-05.
Unless operating under a federal research permit, approaching humpback whales within 100 yards (300 feet) or within 1,000 feet from aircraft is prohibited by federal regulations.
For more information on the permitting process or laws protecting marine mammals, please visit the following websites:
http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/permits/mmpa_permits.htm
http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/laws
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