1. Boat Captain’s Training Program

Announcing a New Course for Boat Captains & Other Interested Parties on the Big Island’s Kona Coast

Instructors: Cap’t. Pete Hendricks & Dr. Jan Östman-Lind

For the last several years, many people have requested that we provide accurate information on Management, Regulations, and Conservation pertaining to Marine Protected Species, including Dolphins, Whales, Turtles, and Sea Birds.

This course was developed in response to these requests and was made available by grants from the National Fish & Wildlife Foundation and the Atherton Family Foundation.

Evening Course: 4-evenings & 1 day on the water.
Tentative Schedule: January – February 2003.

Topics to be Covered:

Practical Oceanography: Formation of the Hawaiian Island, Bottom Topography, Wind, Currents, Waves/Swell and the effects of these parameters on the distribution of Marine Species.

Historical Perspective: Discovery of Hawaiian Islands, Earliest Residents, Traditional and Western Style Fisheries, Fishery Management.

Marine Biology: Basic Biology of Marine Protected Species: marine mammals & turtles.

Marine Debris & Entanglement: Ocean Opala large and small, biological and economic effects - microplastics to shipping containers, What to do when you find an entangled or injured animal, which State & Federal Agencies to contact about what.

Potential Human Impacts: Feeding fish, watching or swimming with marine mammals.

On the Water Practicum: Behavior of marine mammals and how to drive around them to minimize disturbance, Distance Estimates.

2. Marine Naturalist Degree Program

Coming Soon!! Check back with us