PROJECTS
Introduction & Objectives
Comprehensive stranding investigations for priority species such as beaked whales, false killer whales, melon-headed whales, pilot whales and pygmy killer whales are needed by the Navy to better understand the what, where, when and why of marine mammal strandings. This requires mounting an immediate response to each newly reported stranding event that occurs over the project duration and conducting extensive necropsy examinations, including histopathology, disease surveillance, and tissue sampling in support of numerous research efforts aimed at better understanding Hawaiian and Marianas cetaceans. In addition, investigations of both new and archived tissue samples may shed light on causes of death, in particular the presence of newly described or newly testable diseases. Using stranding records, the University of Hawaii will investigate if any species show seasonal or temporal stranding patterns.
Technical Approach
In this study the University of Hawaii will address several research needs: (1) Conduct stranding response, necropsy and cause of death investigations for high priority species when strandings occur over the project duration; (2) Conduct laboratory analyses of archived tissues from previously stranded priority cetacean species to complete comprehensive stranding investigations (3) Conduct laboratory analyses for endangered insular false killer whales to better understand habitat utilization of this species in Hawaii; (4) Conduct laboratory disease screening of specific diseases known to contribute toward mortality; (5) Analyze stranding records for stranding patterns.
Progress & Results
Stranding response, necropsy, and cause of death investigative summaries are provided for stranding events in quarterly reports that occur during each calendar year. In each of these cases, obtained specimen samples are given a unique specimen identification number that allows for long-term tracking of any analyses within the Health and Stranding Lab. In addition to cetacean strandings or other rare events where cetacean specimen samples are obtained and tracked with a unique identifier that reflects the calendar year of the initial report, a number of additional cetacean strandings are confirmed and responses mounted that are not reported as stranding case summaries because of limitations that precluded the necropsy and/or sample collection. Basic stranding information such as location and species are entered into the Marine Mammal Health and Stranding Response Program’s National Stranding Database. Verified or unverified stranding reports may not result in the death of an animal and/or the collection of a biological sample. In these types of stranding response scenarios, a case number is not assigned, and the event is not documented with a unique specimen identification number that is tracked in the Health and Stranding Lab records. When a stranding response effort for a confirmed cetacean stranding event is significant, these events are included in the quarterly reports even if a unique specimen identified is not assigned.
Annual summaries (details of cases provided in associated reports):
2024 - summaries were provided for 12 stranding events
2023 - summaries were provided for 15 stranding events
2022 - summaries were provided for 18 stranding events
2021 - summaries were provided for 24 stranding events
Publications:
West, K.L, I. Silva-Krott, D. Rotstein, and G. Levine. 2025. Pacific Island cetaceans: a review of strandings from 2006–2024. Diseases of Aquatic Organisms 18:164:217–242. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41410231/
Project Videos
Project Information
Timeline
2018-present
Location
Hawaii, Guam, CNMI
Methods
Necropsy, disease screening, genetic testing
Conceptual Framework
Performing Organizations
Principal Investigators
Dr. Kristi West
Health and Stranding Lab
University of Hawaii
Sponsor(s) & Funding
FY18 $118k, FY20 $324k; FY21 $100k; FY22 $133k; FY23 $246k; FY25 $394k
Point of Contacts
Program Manager
Maria Carnevale (current)
Julie Rivers (former)
Pacific Fleet Environmental Readiness Division
Project Manager (disease, stranding pattern)
Dr. James Powell, Dr. Jessica Chen
NAVFAC Pacific
Data, Reports, & Publications
Technical Reports
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Associated Projects & Blog Posts
Blog Posts
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