Helping the humpback's comeback

Help around the humpback
By Rebecca Bluitt , private CNN
Off the coast of Hawaii , humpback whale is interesting fans and scholars alike with his acrobatic leaps and complex songs - and amazing recovery .
"When we are talking about hundreds of whales here," says Jim Darling , the famous whale researcher and co -founder of Maui Whale Trust, a nonprofit organization dedicated to the study of whales in the waters of the island of Hawaii . " Now, in the north Pacific Ocean best estimates about 20,000 whales. "
" They become part of the local culture a bit . This kind of seeping into the national culture ," Darling said , referring to the whale watching industry is booming. The whale tourism nearly $ 2 billion to the world economy in the last year , a figure that is expected to increase by 10 % each year.
About the size of a school bus and an average weight of 45 tons , and the humpback whale is an amazing creature . But it was not always a very visible part Seascape Hawaii. We just returned from almost extinction by whalers flashy as the animals themselves, and wildlife experts are in awe of their resilience .
" The fact that they were able to come back like this shows that it is possible, if given the opportunity," said Darling .
He stringent international restrictions on whaling , conducted in 1966 , the population of humpback opportunity for recovery. But is 20,000 humpback whales in the entire North Pacific really that many ?
" When you think about it , it's not ," Darling said . " I mean, think of how many people attend a football game , you know, is a small piece of the court. , But ... it's much more than what was here . "
It is enough to recover, some argue that the North Pacific humpback whale must be removed from the list of endangered species entirely federal . Hawaii fishermen Alliance to Save and tradition recently a request to remove the North Pacific humpback whale from the list , claiming that increased population whales justify reconsideration of the current restrictions on fishing practices .
Japan , the world's largest country of whaling , is taking advantage of a loophole in the law and anti -whaling to kill some species of whales. The fishermen claim that the organisms used for scientific research - collecting information on the animal's age , diet and the birth rate - before it is packaged and sold meat .
In 2007 , the Japanese whalers insisted that the return of the humpback justify adding to its list of potential prey. But an outcry from the international community has been forced to withdraw , at least until now .
It is believed wanted this long-standing conflict between humans and the humpback whale is the biggest threat to the future of whales.
"As for entanglements and ship strikes , which can slow the boat , or we warn ships when whales in the area , or we can come to different types of fishing gear that may reduce tangles. There are ways to type according to the issues , "he says .
"The greatest of them all going to survive in the long run will be a little more difficult. "
It is a challenge , says Darling , the Maui Whale Trust is ready to process .