An important aspect of the Nai'a Kuwili Project has been to develop new tools for the investigation of dolphin signaling and behavior. Two of the tools that were developed are the Underwater Dolphin Data Acquisition System (UDDAS) and 4-channel UDDAS. These systems are diver operated digital video/broadband acoustic recorders that have the ability to record simultaneous video and acoustic signals up to 200 kHz. This is a vast improvement over the traditional audio (< 20 kHz) limits of conventional recorders, considering that most dolphin species produce signals that are ultrasonic (i.e., above the human frequency hearing range). These systems are being used in Hawaii to study spinner dolphins, as well as in the Bahamas in collaboration with Dr. Denise Herzing of the Wild Dolphin Project (WDP) to study spotted dolphins (Stenella frontalis).

SPLASH

SPLASH (Structure of Populations, Levels of Abundance and Status of Humpback Whales) was an international cooperative effort to understand the population structure of humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) across the North Pacific, and to assess the status, trends and potential human impacts to this population. As part of this effort, OSI was contracted by the Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary (HIHWNMS) to help survey humpback whales occurring off the island of Oahu. OSI built a database of whales that visited Oahu between 2004 and 2006 by applying photo identification and tissue sampling techniques that yielded a unique record for each whale. These data were then pooled with other SPLASH researchers to develop a comprehensive understanding of the aboundance, movements and associations of humpback whales throughout the North Pacific. A SPLASH fact sheet is availableby clicking here.

To listen to the December 15, 2004 Hawaii Public Radio interview click here.

Whale/Vessel Collision Study

As the North Pacific humpback whale population continues to recover from past decades of whaling there is a concern that whales and boats/ships will increasingly finding themselves on a collision course. To address this concern, the Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary (HIHWNMS) examined this issue and organized an outreach campaign to inform and sensitize local vessel operators. OSI contributed in this effort by completing an assessment of the incidence of whale/vessel collisions in Hawaiian waters over the past three decades. Download the final report (320 kb)

All research and photographs of dolphins and whales were conducted/obtained under NMFS General Letter of Authorization No.11, No.707-1478 or Pemit No. 782-1438.