May 8, 2024 — Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center scientists are spending a month at sea (April 23–May 22) aboard the NOAA Ship Oscar Elton Sette on the Survey for Continued Observation of Pseudorca Extent (SCOPE). They’re searching for pelagic false killer whales in an area they have not surveyed before and using specialized methods to collect biological data from as many false killer whales as possible.
They will use the same methods to look and listen for whales and dolphins on this mission that they have used for many years on other surveys.
During SCOPE, they have increased capacity to:
- Locate false killer whales
- Take photo-identification images
- Collect biopsy samples
- Deploy satellite tags when this species is found
These key types of data are limited for pelagic false killer whales—including the Hawaiʻi pelagic population that has a new management area to address bycatch in the Hawaiʻi deep-set longline fishery.