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Species Distribution: False Killer Whale - Hawaii

Published by Pacific Islands Ocean Observing System (PacIOOS) | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Department of Commerce | Metadata Last Checked: January 27, 2026 | Last Modified: 2020-07-13T00:00:00.000+00:00
This dataset contains a collection of known point locations of false killer whales identified either via automated satellite tracking of tagged organisms or through direct human observation via shipborne and aerial surveys. This can be useful for assessing species abundance, population structure, habitat use, and behavior. This collection is aggregated from multiple data sources and survey periods listed below. Each data point contains attributes for further information about the time and source of the observation. This dataset was compiled by the Pacific Islands Ocean Observing System (PacIOOS) and may be updated in the future if additional data sources are acquired. Cascadia Research Collective (CRC) has been undertaking shipborne surveys for odontocetes in Hawaiian waters since 2000. False killer whales have the lowest abundance estimate of any odontocetes in Hawaiian waters. Two populations have been recognized. The main Hawaiian Islands insular population, estimated at about 150 individuals, has been proposed for an endangered listing under the U.S. Endangered Species Act. Two false killer whales from the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands insular population were also tagged, with data provided by the Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center (PIFSC) and Southwest Fisheries Science Center (SWFSC). In addition, Dr. Joseph Mobley of the Marine Mammal Research Consultants (MMRC) led aerial surveys for cetaceans in Hawaiian waters from 1993-2003. For further information, please see: http://www.cascadiaresearch.org/hawaiian-cetacean-studies/false-killer-whales-hawaii

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