A new collaborative study is exploring the “whale pump”—the process by which whales cycle nutrients into the ocean through their waste, fueling the growth of phytoplankton that support marine food webs.

Heʻeia NERR is proud to partner with researchers from the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa’s Marine Mammal Research Program and Aquatic Microbial Ecology Lab, as well as Pacific Whale Foundation on this innovative project. From October 2025 to June 2026, researchers collected seawater samples before, during, and after humpback whale season to determine whether the annual migration of whales measurably enriches the waters of Maui Nui.

This collaborative research will help researchers better understand the ecological role of humpback whales, offering new insights into how these marine mammals contribute to healthy and productive ocean ecosystems.

Read Full Story: Maui Now Article