| The Hawaiian Islands Cetacean and Ecosystem Assessment Survey (HICEAS) was a 179-day
survey for whales, dolphins, and seabirds within the Hawaiian Archipelago, from shore
to 200 nmi offshore. There were four major research components to HICEAS: visual observations
for cetaceans, including photo-identification, biopsy sampling, and satellite tagging;
passive acoustic monitoring using towed hydrophone arrays and other tools; ecosystem
assessment, including visual surveys for seabirds and measurement of oceanographic
variables (CTD casts, EK-60); and conduct other ancillary projects, such as aerial
photogrammetry using a hexacopter, testing of new passive acoustic tools, and other
projects that support and augment our assessment mission. |