Mission Statement
The Hawai‘i Marine Mammal Consortium is composed of marine mammal scientists from institutions around the country who share an interest in marine mammal research and conservation in the waters surrounding the Hawaiian Islands.
We have a strong commitment to increase and promote knowledge and education about marine mammals and the marine environment to help island communities value, understand and protect Hawai‘i’s marine life.
A fundamental tenet of this consortium is that it is larger than any of its individual members, that it will outlive all of us and that it is founded on a vision of collaboration and excellence.
Main Goals of the HMMC
• To conduct and coordinate research on wild populations of whales, dolphins and seals in the public interest
• To link HMMC scientists with Hawai‘i educators and community members by serving as an educational resource and by providing internship opportunities for high school, college and university students
• To cultivate and maintain broad multi-disciplinary ties with oceanographers, geologists, climatologists and other scientists to address large-scale issues affecting marine mammals and their habitat
• To build a permanent underwater acoustic observatory as a research tool and as a means to raise public awareness of marine mammal dependence on a healthy underwater acoustic environment
• To work with existing agencies and organizations to help coordinate efforts for rescuing, rehabilitating or necropsying stranded marine mammals
• To promote awareness of the importance of a healthy marine ecosystem