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Animation of movements of tagged Pseudorca | Management of Pseudorca
Pseudorca crassidens, or false killer whales, are a large toothed whale that lives in the tropical and sub-tropical open ocean. In Hawaiian waters there are three populations: an offshore (pelagic) population, a Northwestern Hawaiian Islands population, and a small population associated with the main Hawaiian Islands – this latter population are long-term residents, they are kama‘aina, truely Hawaiian, Pseudorca. This population was listed as Endangered under the Endangered Species Act in November 2012. More is known about Pseudorca in Hawaiian waters than anywhere else in the world, and they are one of the highest priority species for our Hawai‘i research program. Below you will find photographs and a variety of information on Pseudorca in Hawai‘i and elsewhere.
Pseudorca are uncommon everywhere – they are at the top of the food web, and like other top predators are naturally rare. A NMFS study of all of Hawaiian waters out to the international boundary found that false killer whales were the least abundant of the 18 species of toothed whales and dolphins found in Hawaiian waters.
A group of Pseudorca encountered off Lāna‘i in March 2019.
A Pseudorca carrying a tuna, followed by its hunting companions.
In Hawaiian waters Pseudorca regularly use near-shore areas. The island-associated population is genetically differentiated from Pseudorca in offshore Hawaiian waters (Chivers et al. 2007; Martien et al. 2011). Photographs obtained by researcher Dan McSweeney (of the Wild Whale Research Foundation, based in Holualoa) from the mid-1980s and 1990s have been used to demonstrate that this population has long shown fidelity to the area (Baird et al. 2008). The most recent population estimate for the main Hawaiian Islands insular population is approximately 167 individuals. Like the killer whale (not particularly closely related but with a very similar skull), Pseudorca are long-lived (into their 60s), slow to reproduce (having one calf only every 6 or 7 years), and do not start reproducing until their teens. Like humans, females go through menopause, and have a long post-reproductive period. Thus Pseudorca populations would be very slow to recover from any impacts from human activities. Also like killer whales, because they are long-lived upper-trophic level predators, they accumulate high levels of toxins and may be impacted by competition with human fisheries.
Our photo-identification work has demonstrated that Pseudorca have long-term bonds. They share their prey, not only with their companions, but also with humans. A Pseudorca that was alone in British Columbia and Washington from the late 1980s until a few years ago, far from their normal range off Mexico, repeatedly caught large salmon and would offer them to boaters. In Hawaiian waters, Pseudorca have offered fish to human snorkelers and divers.
A group of Pseudorca from the insular population.
Recent evidence indicates the insular population of Pseudorca in Hawai‘i has declined dramatically since the 1980s and 1990s (Reeves et al. 2009). Five years of aerial surveys undertaken from 1993 through 2003 by Joe Mobley of the University of Hawai‘i West O‘ahu have shown a steep decline in sighting rates. Group sizes of the largest groups documented in surveys undertaken by Steve Leatherwood and Randy Reeves in 1989 were almost four times larger than the entire current population estimate (Reeves et al. 2009).
Mother and calf Pseudorca, 13 November 2017.
Above: an animation of the movements of PcTag015 in relation to eddy fields.
Pseudorca with a satellite tag. We are using these tags to examine movements of both the insular and offshore populations in Hawaiian waters, in part to try to assess interactions with the long-line fishery.
Pseudorca with a satellite tag. We are using these tags to examine movements of both the insular and offshore populations in Hawaiian waters, in part to try to assess interactions with the long-line fishery.
A Pseudorca from the offshore population leaping while chasing prey.
Pseudorca with tuna.
Offshore Pseudorca group with a calf.
Pseudorca off the island of Lāna‘i .
Pseudorca off the island of Hawai‘i.
Pseudorca mother and calf.
Pseudorca are closely related to, and often confused with pygmy killer whales, short-finned pilot whales and melon-headed whales, all of which are also found in Hawaiian waters.
Attention educators – if you would like a copy of a Powerpoint presentation for educational purposes/displays please contact Robin Baird at rwbaird (at) cascadiaresearch.org
Brochures and handouts
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To help raise awareness of Pseudorca conservation and management issues within Hawai‘i we have created and printed a brochure for the general public as well as a handout for kids with a word puzzle and map, and coloring pages and fact sheets for kids. These brochures are being distributed through the Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary education programs as well as through other venues in Hawai‘i. PDF copies of the brochure and handout (meant for printing double-sided) can be downloaded by clicking on the photos above (or below). Left photo (c) Doug Perrine/SeaPics.com – all rights reserved. Center photo (c) Deron Verbeck/iamaquatic.com. If you are interested in printed copies of the brochure or handout for distribution please contact Robin Baird at rwbaird (at) cascadiaresearch.org
Download pdf copies of the coloring pages (with fact sheets on the back) by clicking on the images above. Thanks to Jeff Hogan/Killer Whale Tales and Uko Gorter for producing these coloring pages.
Maps and photos from recent field projects where we’ve encountered Pseudorca
During field projects in Hawai‘i we post regularly updates on sightings and often include maps of movements of satellite tagged individuals etc. We encountered Pseudorca during several recent field projects – you can find links to the project updates below.
Reports from our December 2020 Maui Nui field project
Reports from our March 2019 Maui Nui field project
Reports from our November 2018 Hawai‘i island field project
Reports from our February/March 2018 Lāna‘i field project
Reports from our November 2017 O‘ahu field project
Reports from our October 2017 Hawai‘i field project
Reports from our March 2017 Maui Nui field project
Reports from our October 2016 O‘ahu field project
Reports from our October/November 2013 Hawai‘i Island field project
Reports from our July/August 2013 Kaua‘i field project
Reports from our June/July 2012 Kaua‘i field project
Reports from our October/November 2011 Hawai‘i Island field project
Reports from our August 2011 Hawai‘i Island field project
Reports from our December 2010 Hawai‘i Island field project
Reports from our October 2010 O‘ahu field project
Reports from our July/August 2010 field project
Reports from our December 2009 field project
Reports from our October 2009 field project
Reports from our December 2008 field project
Reports from our June/July 2008 field project
Reports from our April/May 2008 field project
Reports from our August 2007 field project
Videos of false killer whales in Hawai‘i
We occasionally collect video footage of false killer whales as part of our field work in Hawai‘i – you can view some of our videos below!
Playlist
Publications, reports and conference presentations on Pseudorca
Most recent publications/reports/presentations are presented first.
- Fader, J.E., R.W. Baird, A.L. Bradford, D.C. Dunn, K.A. Forney, and A.J. Read. 2021. Patterns of Depredation in the Hawai‘i Deep-Set Longline Fishery Informed by Fishery and False Killer Whale Behavior. Ecosphere 12(8): e03682. Available from The Ecological Society of America.
- Baird, R.W., D.B. Anderson, M.A. Kratofil, and D.L. Webster. 2021. Bringing the right fishermen to the table: indices of overlap between endangered false killer whales and nearshore fisheries in Hawai‘i. Biological Conservation 255. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biocon.2021.108975. Download PDF copy
- Baird, R.W., C.J. Cornforth, S.M. Jarvis, N.A. DiMarzio, K. Dolan, E.E. Henderson, S.W. Martin, S.L. Watwood, S.D. Mahaffy, B.D. Guenther, J.K. Lerma, A.E. Harnish, and M.A. Kratofil. 2021. Odontocete Studies on the Pacific Missile Range in February 2020: Satellite-Tagging, Photo-Identification, and Passive Acoustic Monitoring. Prepared for Commander, Pacific Fleet, under Contract No. N62470-15-D-8006 Task Order N6274219F0101 issued to HDR Inc., Honolulu, HI. Download PDF Copy.
- Anderson, D., R.W. Baird, A.L. Bradford, and E.M. Oleson. 2020. Is it all about the haul? Pelagic false killer whale interactions with longline fisheries in the central North Pacific. Fisheries Research 230, 105665. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fishres.2020.105665. Download PDF copy
- Kratofil, M.A., G.M. Ylitalo, S.D. Mahaffy, K.L. West and R.W. Baird. 2020. Life history and social structure as drivers of persistent organic pollutant levels and stable isotopes in Hawaiian false killer whales (Pseudorca crassidens). Science of the Total Environment 733:138880. Download PDF copy
- Ryan, C., M. Cohen, and R.W. Baird. 2020. Southernmost Record of False Killer Whale (Pseudorca crassidens). Aquatic Mammals 46(1), 111-113. Download PDF copy.
- Baird, R.W. 2019. The Perils of Relying on Handling Techniques to Reduce Bycatch in a Partially Observed Fishery: A Potential Fatal Flaw in the False Killer Whale Take Reduction Plan. Document PSRG-2019-14 presented to the Pacific Scientific Review Group, March 5-7, 2019, Olympia, WA. Download PDF copy.
- Baird, R.W., D.B. Anderson, M.A. Kratofil, D.L. Webster, and S.D. Mahaffy. 2019. Cooperative conservation and long-term management of false killer whales in Hawai‘i: geospatial analyses of fisheries and satellite tag data to understand fishery interactions. Report to the State of Hawai‘i Board of Land and Natural Resources under Contract No. 67703. Download PDF copy
- Kratofil, M.A., G.M. Ylitalo, R.W. Baird, and S.D. Mahaffy. 2019. Persistent organic pollutants in Hawaiian false killer whales: variance in relation to life history and social group. Poster presentation at the joint meeting of the American Fisheries Society and The Wildlife Society, Reno, NV. Download abstract Download PDF copy
- Kratofil, M.A., G.M. Ylitalo, R.W. Baird, and S.D. Mahaffy. 2019. Breaching the Line: Persistent Organic Pollutant Concentrations Exceeding Thresholds in Endangered Hawaiian False Killer Whales (Pseudorca crassidens). Poster presented at the joint meeting of the American Fisheries Society and The Wildlife Society, Reno, NV, September 29-October 3, 2019. Download PDF copy.
- Howe, M., M.O. Lammers, and R.W. Baird. 2019. Participatory Science and Directed Survey Methods: A Case Study with Odontocetes in the Maui Nui Region of the Hawaiian Islands. Journal of Cetacean Research and Management 20: 101-109. Download PDF copy.
- Howe, M., M.O. Lammers, and R.W. Baird. 2019. Participatory Science and Directed Survey Methods: A Case Study with Odontocetes in the Maui Nui Region of the Hawaiian Islands. Poster presented at the World Marine Mammal Conference, Barcelona, Spain, December 7-12, 2019. Download PDF copy.
- Andrews, R.D., R.W. Baird, J. Calambokidis, C.E.C. Goertz, F.M. Gulland, M.P. Heide-Jorgensen, S.K. Hooker, M. Johnson, B. Mate, Y. Mitani, D.P. Nowacek, K. Owen, L.T. Quakenbush, S. Raverty, J. Robbins, G.S. Schorr, O.V. Shpak, F.I. Townsend, JR, M. Uhart, R.W. Wells, and A.N. Zerbini. 2019. Best Practice Guidelines for Cetacean Tagging. Journal of Cetacean Research and Management 20: 27-66. Download PDF copy.
- Martien, K.K., B.L. Taylor, S.J. Chivers, S.D. Mahaffy, A.M. Gorgone, and R.W. Baird. 2019. Fidelity to natal social groups and mating both within and between social groups in an endangered false killer whale (Pseudorca crassidens) population. Endangered Species Research doi:10.3354/esr00995. Download a copy
- Yahn, S.N., R.W. Baird, S.D. Mahaffy, and D.L. Webster. 2019. How to tell them apart? Discriminating tropical balckfish species using fin and body measurements from photographs taken at sea. Marine Mammal Science doi: 10.1111/mms.12584 Download PDF copy
- Baird, R.W. 2019. The perils of relying on handling techniques to reduce bycatch in a partially observed fishery: a potential fatal flaw in the False Killer Whale Take Reduction Plan. Document PSRG-2019-14 presented to the Pacific Scientific Review Group, March 5-7, 2019, Olympia, WA. Download PDF copy
- Baird, R.W. 2019. How We Learn About Hawaii’s Dolphin and Whale Populations. Hawaii Fishing News 44(9): 31-32. Download PDF copy.
- Baird, R.W. 2018. Pseudorca crassidens. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2018: e.T18596A50371251. dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2018-2.RLTS.T18596A50371251.en Download PDF copy
- Bradford, A.L., R.W. Baird, S.D. Mahaffy, A.M. Gorgone, D.J. McSweeney, T. Cullins, D.L. Webster, A.N. Zerbini. 2018. Abundance estimates for management of endangered false killer whales in the main Hawaiian Islands. Endangered Species Research 36:297-313 doi: 10.3354/esr00903 Download PDF copy
- Baird, R.W. 2018. False Killer Whale. In Encyclopedia of Marine Mammals. Edited by B. Würsig, J.G.M. Thewissen, and K. Kovacs. 3rd edition. Elsevier Inc. Download PDF copy
- Baird, R.W., S.W. Martin, R. Manzano-Roth, D.L. Webster, and B.L. Southall. 2017. Assessing exposure and response of three species of odontocetes to mid-frequency active sonar during submarine commanders courses at the Pacific Missile Range Facility: August 2013 through February 2015. Prepared for U.S. Pacific Fleet, submitted to NAVFAC PAC by HDR Environmental, Operations and Construction, Inc., Honolulu, Hawai’i. Download PDF copy
- Yahn, S.N., R.W. Baird, S.D. Mahaffy, and D.L. Webster. 2017. How to tell them apart? Blackfish species discrimination using fin and body morphometrics obtainable from photos at sea. Abstract (Proceedings) 22nd Biennial on the Biology of Marine Mammals, Halifax, Nova Scotia, October 22-27, 2017. View abstract Download poster PDF
- Mahaffy, S.D., R.W. Baird, A.M. Gorgone, T. Cullins, D.J. McSweeney and D.L. Webster. 2017. Group dynamics of the endangered insular population of false killer whales in Hawai’i. Abstract (Proceedings) 22nd Biennial on the Biology of Marine Mammals, Halifax, Nova Scotia, October 22-27, 2017. View abstract Download poster PDF
- Anderson, D.B, R.W. Baird, A.L. Bradford and D.L. Webster. 2017. Longline fishery interactions and resource selection of satellite-tagged pelagic false killer whales in the North Pacific. Abstract submitted to the 22nd Biennial Conference on the Biology of Marine Mammals, Halifax, Nova Scotia, October 22-27, 2017.
- Baird, R.W., D.B. Anderson and D.L. Webster. 2017. Bringing the right fishermen to the table: an index of overlap between false killer whales and nearshore fisheries in Hawai’i, with implications for targeting observer programs and outreach efforts. Abstract from the 22nd Biennial on the Biology of Marine Mammals, Halifax, Nova Scotia, October 22-27, 2017. View abstract
- Bradford, A.L., R.W. Baird, S.D. Mahaffy, A.M. Gorgone, D.J. McSweeney, T. Cullins, D.L. Webster and A.N. Zerbini. 2017. Abundance estimates for management of endangered false killer whales in the main Hawaiian Islands. Abstract from the 22nd Biennial on the Biology of Marine Mammals, Halifax, Nova Scotia, October 22-27, 2017. View abstract
- Baird, R.W., S.D. Mahaffy, A.M. Gorgone, K.A. Beach, T. Cullins, D.J. McSweeney, D.S. Verbeck and D.L. Webster. 2017. Updated evidence of interactions between false killer whales and fisheries around the main Hawaiian Islands: assessment of mouthline and dorsal fin injuries. Document PSRG-2017-16 submitted to the Pacific Scientific Review Group.
- Beach, K.A., R.W. Baird, S.D. Mahaffy, D.L. Webster, and D.J. McSweeney. 2015. Mouthline injuries as an indicator of fisheries interactions for false killer whales and pygmy killer whales in Hawai’i. Abstract (Proceedings) 21st Biennial Conference on the Biology of Marine Mammals, San Francisco, California, December 14-18, 2015. View abstract
- Baird, R.W., D. Cholewiak, D.L. Webster, G.S. Schorr, S.D. Mahaffy, C. Curtice, J. Harrison, and S.M. Van Parijs. 2015. Biologically important areas for cetaceans within U.S. waters – Hawai‘i region. Aquatic Mammals 41: 54-64. Download PDF copy.
- Baumann-Pickering, S., A.E. Simonis, E.M. Oleson, R.W. Baird, M.A. Roch, and S.W. Wiggins. 2015. False killer whale and short-finned pilot whale acoustic identification. Endangered Species Research 28:97-108. Download PDF copy
- Bradford, A.L., E.M. Oleson, R.W. Baird, C.H. Boggs, K.A. Forney, and N.C. Young. 2015. Revised stock boundaries for false killer whales (Pseudorca crassidens) in Hawaiian waters. NOAA Technical Memorandum NMFS-PIFSC-47. Download PDF copy
- Baird, R.W., S.D. Mahaffy, A.M. Gorgone, T. Cullins, D.J. McSweeney, E.M. Oleson, A.L. Bradford, J. Barlow and D.L. Webster. 2014. False killer whales and fisheries interactions in Hawaiian waters: evidence for sex bias and variation among populations and social groups. Marine Mammal Science doi: 10.1111/mms.12177 Download PDF copy
- Foltz, K., R.W. Baird, G.M. Ylitalo, and B.A. Jensen. 2014. Cytochrome P4501A1 expression in blubber biopsies of endangered false killer whales (Pseudorca crassidens) and nine other odontocete species from Hawai‘i. Ecotoxicology doi: 10.1007/s10646-014-1300-0. Download PDF copy
- Martien, K.K., S.J. Chivers, R.W. Baird, F.I. Archer, A.M. Gorgone, B.L. Hancock-Hanser, D. Mattila, D.J. McSweeney, E.M. Oleson, C. Palmer, V.L. Pease, K.M. Robertson, G.S. Schorr, M.B. Schultz, D.L. Webster and B.L. Taylor. 2014. Nuclear and mitochondrial patterns of population structure in North Pacific false killer whales (Pseudorca crassidens). Journal of Heredity doi: 10.1093/jhered/esu029. Download PDF copy
- Baird, R.W., D.L. Webster, S.D. Mahaffy, G.S. Schorr, J.M. Aschettino, and A.M. Gorgone. 2013. Movements and spatial use of odontocetes in the western main Hawaiian Islands: results of a three-year study off O’ahu and Kaua’i. Final report under Grant No. N00244-10-1-0048 from the Naval Postgraduate School. Download PDF copy
- Baird, R.W., D.L. Webster, J.M. Aschettino, G.S. Schorr, and D.J. McSweeney. 2013. Odontocete cetaceans around the main Hawaiian Islands: habitat use and relative abundance from small-boat sighting surveys. Aquatic Mammals 39:253-269. Download PDF copy
- Baird, R.W., E.M. Oleson, J. Barlow, A.D. Ligon, A.M. Gorgone, and S.D. Mahaffy. 2013. Evidence of an island-associated population of false killer whales (Pseudorca crassidens) in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands. Pacific Science 67:513-521. Download PDF copy
- Baird, R.W. 2013. False killer whales around Kaua‘i and Ni‘ihau. Hawai‘i Fishing News 39(9):24-25.Download PDF copy
- Baird, R.W., M.B. Hanson, G.S. Schorr, D.L. Webster, D.J. McSweeney, A.M. Gorgone, S.D. Mahaffy, D. Holzer, E.M. Oleson and R.D. Andrews. 2012. Range and primary habitats of Hawaiian insular false killer whales: informing determination of critical habitat. Endangered Species Research 18:47-61. doi: 10.3354/esr00435. Download PDF copy
- Baird, R.W., G.S. Schorr, D.L. Webster, D.J. McSweeney, M.B. Hanson and R.D. Andrews. 2011. Movements and spatial use of false killer whales in Hawai‘i: satellite tagging studies in 2009. Report prepared under Order No. AB133F09SE4132 from the Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center, Honolulu, HI. Download PDF copy
- Baird, R.W., E.M. Oleson, J. Barlow, A.D. Ligon, A.M. Gorgone, and S.D. Mahaffy. 2011. Photo-identification and satellite tagging of false killer whales during HICEAS II: evidence of an island-associated population in the Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument. Document PSRG-2011-16 presented to the Pacific Scientific Review Group, Seattle, November 2011. Download PDF copy
- Martien, K.K., R.W. Baird, S.J. Chivers, E.M. Oleson and B.L. Taylor. 2011. Population structure and mechanisms of gene flow within island-associated false killer whales (Pseudorca crassidens) around the Hawaiian Archipelago. Document PSRG-2011-14 presented to the Pacific Scientific Review Group, Seattle, November 2011. Download PDF copy
- Baird, R.W. 2010. Over-fished and under-appreciated: conservation and management of false killer whales, Hawai‘i’s rarest whales. Poster presentation at the 2010 Hawai‘i Conservation Conference, August 4-6, 2010, Honolulu, HI. Download PDF copy
- Baird, R.W. 2010. Pygmy killer whales (Feresa attenuata) or false killer whales (Pseudorca crassidens)? Identification of a group of small cetaceans seen off Ecuador in 2004. Aquatic Mammals 36: DOI 10.1578/AM.36.3.2010. Download PDF copy
- Chivers, S.J., R.W. Baird, K.M. Martien, B.L. Taylor, E. Archer, A.M. Gorgone, B.L. Hancock, N.M. Hedrick, D. Matilla, D.J. McSweeney, E.M. Oleson, C.L. Palmer, V. Pease, K.M. Robertson, J. Robbins, J.C. Salinas, G.S. Schorr, M. Schultz, J.L. Theileking, and D.L. Webster. 2010. Evidence of genetic differentiation for Hawai‘i insular false killer whales (Pseudorca crassidens). NOAA Technical Memorandum NMFS-SWFSC-458, 46p.Download PDF copy
- Baird, R.W., G.S. Schorr, D.L. Webster, D.J. McSweeney, M.B. Hanson and R.D. Andrews. 2010. Movements and habitat use of satellite-tagged false killer whales around the main Hawaiian Islands. Endangered Species Research 10:107-121. doi: 10.3354/esr00258. Download PDF copy
- Baird, R.W. 2009. A review of false killer whales in Hawaiian waters: biology, status, and risk factors. Report prepared for the U.S. Marine Mammal Commission under Order No. E40475499. Download PDF copy
- Ylitalo, G.M., R.W. Baird, G.K. Yanagida, D.L. Webster, S.J. Chivers, J.L. Bolton, G.S. Schorr, and D.J. McSweeney. 2009. High levels of persistent organic pollutants measured in blubber of island-associated false killer whales (Pseudorca crassidens) around the main Hawaiian Islands. Marine Pollution Bulletin 58:1932-1937. doi: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2009.08.029. Download PDF copy
- Baird, R.W. 2009. Hawai’i’s false killer whales are at risk: should they be included as a “resource” in the Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary. Poster presented at the First International Conference on Marine Mammal Protected Areas, Maui, HI, March 30 – April 3, 2009. Download PDF copy
- Baird, R.W. 2009. False killer whales in Hawaiian waters: bycatch in the long-line fishery and the long-line exclusion zone around the main Hawaiian Islands. Bycatch Communication Network Newsletter, Aug-Sep 2009:9-13. Download PDF copy
- Reeves, R.R., S. Leatherwood and R.W. Baird. 2009. Evidence of a possible decline since 1989 in false killer whales (Pseudorca crassidens) around the main Hawaiian Islands. Pacific Science 63:253-261. Download PDF copy
- Baird, R.W. 2008. False killer whale Pseudorca crassidens. Pages 405-406 in Encyclopedia Of Marine Mammals 2nd Edition. Edited by W.F. Perrin, B. Wursig and J.G.M. Thewissen. Academic Press, San Diego, CA.Download PDF copy
- Baird, R.W., A.M. Gorgone, D.J. McSweeney, D.L. Webster, D.R. Salden, M.H. Deakos, A.D. Ligon, G.S. Schorr, J. Barlow and S.D. Mahaffy. 2008. False killer whales (Pseudorca crassidens) around the main Hawaiian Islands: long-term site fidelity, inter-island movements, and association patterns. Marine Mammal Science 24:591-612. doi: 10.1111/j.1748-7692.2008.00200.x. Download PDF copy
- Baird, R.W., G.S. Schorr, D.L. Webster, D.J. McSweeney, M.B. Hanson, and R.D. Andrews. 2008. Movements of satellite-tagged false killer whales around the main Hawaiian Islands. Document PSRG-2008-13 submitted to the Pacific Scientific Review Group, Kihei, HI, November 2008. Download PDF copy
- Baird, R.W., G.S. Schorr, D.L. Webster, D.J. McSweeney, A.M. Gorgone and S.J. Chivers. 2008. A survey to assess overlap of insular and offshore false killer whales (Pseudorca crassidens) off the island of Hawai‘i.Report prepared under Order No. AB133F07SE4484 for the Protected Species Division, Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center, National Marine Fisheries Service, Honolulu, HI. Download PDF copy
- Chivers, S.J., R.W. Baird, D.J. McSweeney, D.L. Webster, N.M. Hedrick, and J.C. Salinas. 2007. Genetic variation and evidence for population structure in eastern North Pacific false killer whales (Pseudorca crassidens). Canadian Journal of Zoology 85:783-794. Download PDF copy
- Baird, R.W. 2006. Hawai’i’s other cetaceans. Whale and Dolphin Magazine 11:28-31. Download PDF copy
- Baird, R.W., and A.M. Gorgone. 2005. False killer whale dorsal fin disfigurements as a possible indicator of long-line fishery interactions in Hawaiian waters. Pacific Science 59:593-601.Download PDF copy
- Baird, R.W., A.M. Gorgone, D.L. Webster, D.J. McSweeney, J.W. Durban, A.D. Ligon, D.R. Salden, and M.H. Deakos. 2005. False killer whales around the main Hawaiian islands: an assessment of inter-island movements and population size using individual photo-identification. Report prepared under Order No. JJ133F04SE0120 from the Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center, National Marine Fisheries Service. Download PDF copy
- Baird, R.W. 2002. False killer whale Pseudorca crassidens. Pages 411-412 in Encyclopedia Of Marine Mammals. Edited by W.F. Perrin, B. Wursig and J.G.M. Thewissen. Academic Press, San Diego, CA. Download PDF copy
- Stacey, P.J., S. Leatherwood and R.W. Baird. 1994. Pseudorca crassidens. Mammalian Species 456:1-6. Download PDF copy
- Stacey, P.J., and R.W. Baird. 1991. Status of the false killer whale, Pseudorca crassidens, in Canada.Canadian Field-Naturalist 105:189-197. Download PDF copy
- Leatherwood, S., D. McDonald, R.W. Baird and M.D. Scott. 1989. The false killer whale, Pseudorca crassidens (OWEN, 1846): a summary of information available through 1988. Oceans Unlimited Technical Report 89-001. 114 p. Download PDF copy
- Baird, R.W., K.M. Langelier and P.J. Stacey. 1989. First records of false killer whales, Pseudorca crassidens, in Canada. Canadian Field-Naturalist 103:368-371. Download PDF copy
Management of Pseudorca
As well as publishing papers and presenting information to workshops and conferences, we also regularly submit comments in response to proposed government actions in regards to false killer whale conservation and management and are participating in the false killer whale Take Reduction Team. Copies of these comments and more information is available below.
- Proposed Incidental Harassment Authorization for a seismic survey in Hawai‘i, July 2018. Download comments
- NOAA Fisheries proposed critical habitat for main Hawaiian Islands insular false killer whales, December 2017. Download comments
- U.S. Navy draft Hawai‘i-Southern California Training and Testing EIS, December 2017. Download comments
- U.S. Air Force planned weapons system evaluation program off Kaua‘i, May 2017. Download comments
- Hawaii longline fishery environmental assessment, April 2017 Download comments
- NMFS “negligible impact determination” for false killer whales in the Hawai‘i longline fishery, July 2014 Download comments
- NMFS intent to prepare a Recovery Plan for main Hawaiian Islands false killer whales, November 2013 Download comments
- NMFS proposed listing of Hawaiian insular false killer whales as Endangered, October 2012.Download comments
- NMFS proposed listing of Hawaiian insular false killer whales as Endangered under the Endangered Species Act, February 2011. Download comments
- Comments on the Management Plan Review of the Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary, October 2010. Download comments
- Comments on the scope of the Take Reduction Team for false killer whales in Hawai‘i, February 2010. Download comments
- Comments on whether the insular stock of false killer whales in Hawai‘i should be listed under the Endangered Species Act, February 2010. Download comments
- Comments on proposed changes to the Hawai‘i stock assessment report for false killer whales, September 2009. Download comments
- Comments on NMFS draft supplemental environmental impact statement regarding changing regulations of the Hawai’i long-line fishery for swordfish, in terms of implications for impacts on false killer whales in Hawai’i, October 2008. Download comments
- Comments on NMFS proposed changes to the Hawai‘i stock assessment report for false killer whales, October 2008. Download comments
Cascadia biologist Robin Baird is a member of the False Killer Whale Take Reduction Team established by NMFS. The Team developed a draft Take Reduction Plan to reduce bycatch of false killer whales in the Hawaii-based longline fishery. To download the draft Take Reduction Plan click here
In November 2010 the National Marine Fisheries Service announced a proposal to list the Hawaii insular population of false killer whales as Endangered under the U.S. Endangered Species Act. A copy of the Federal Register notice can be downloaded here. In November 2012 the main Hawaiian Islands insular population was listed as Endangered.
For more information on management of false killer whales in Hawaiian waters see the web site of the National Marine Fisheries Service Pacific Islands Regional Office
False killer whales in the news
There have been a number of articles and stories on false killer whales in the news in recent years – links to some of these are below.
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Click on the images above to go to the articles in the Honolulu Weekly (February 24, 2010) or the Hawaii Fishing News (October 2009)
The unknown cetacean – in search of Hawai‘i’s elusive false killer whale by Sheila Sarhangi, in Hana Hou!, October/November 2011. Click on the image above to get a copy of the article
Killers with manners in Environment Hawai‘i, May 2010
The greenest band on the planet? by Treena Shapiro in The Honolulu Advertiser, March 29, 2010
Feds try to reduce deaths of dolphins off Hawaii’s shores by Audrey McAvoy in The Maui News, January 23, 2010 (for more information on the false killer whale Take Reduction Team see the web pages of NOAA Fisheries headquarters or the Pacific Islands Regional Office)
Save the Pseudorca by Rob Parsons in MauiTime, November 12, 2009
Photos taken under NMFS Scientific Research Permits (Nos. 731-1774 and 15330). All photos are copyrighted and should not be used without permission.
Updated November 2021.
Return to the Hawaiian Dolphin and Whale Species Page
Got photos? We have photo-ID catalogs for several Hawaiian cetacean species! If you have photos that you would be willing to share, you can learn how to submit those to us at this link, or contact us at Hawaii@cascadiaresearch.org