Conservation
Help protect our wonderful marine life
Hawaii Uncharted Research Collective
Hawai'i Uncharted Research Collective is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that began in Kona in 2017. After years working on the water, the founding research team noticed that whale shark sightings (once considered extremely rare) may be occurring more often than previously thought. With tourism increasing in the once sleepy town of Kona and more people bringing waterproof cameras and video devices on the water, studying this elusive species has become a reality.
Their organization will be studying population dynamics, ecology, animal behavior and human impacts. Their findings will be published in peer-reviewed scientific journals with the goal of implementing and supporting global conservation efforts of whale sharks and their environment. They will also be sharing their findings with the general public through formal educational presentations and outreach events.
Click here to Learn more about Hawaii Uncharted
How you can help!
By joining us on one of our tours, you help us submit photos and data to the Hawaii Uncharted Research Collective Click here to donate to them directly!
Hawai'i Community Tagging Program
The Hawai'i Community Tagging Program is a collaborative research program focused on the use of advanced telemetry technologies to elucidate shark movement behavior and habitat requirements. Their research objectives are geared towards filling data gaps identified by regional fishery management organizations as critical for implementation of effective conservation strategies for shark populations impacted by commercial fisheries.
Oceanic whitetip sharks are listed as threatened under the U.S. Endangered Species Act (ESA) because populations decreased to a point where they could not replenish themselves under current fishing mortality rates. ith this collaborative effort, members of the fishing community have become citizen scientists working together to identify ways to reduce mortality to the population and to get in front of any potential management actions that may result from the listing of the species under the ESA.
Click here to Learn more about Hawai'i Community Tagging Program
How you can help!
By joining us on one of our tours, photos and interactions are reported to the community program. Click here to report an interaction!
