A recent study has shed light on the feeding habits of short-finned pilot whales in Hawaii, revealing that they consume significantly more squid than previously thought. Utilizing advanced technology, researchers successfully tracked these marine mammals to gain insights into their appetites and feeding patterns. The team employed suction-cup tags equipped with cameras and hydrophones, along with drone measurements, to monitor the whales' diving behavior and prey capture in deep waters.

The innovative tracking system allowed scientists to collect real-time data on whale movements, including their dive depths and durations, as well as the sounds they make while hunting. This comprehensive approach helped researchers to quantify the average daily squid consumption of each whale, finding that they typically consume between 82 and 202 squid each day. The deep dives of these whales often reach hundreds of meters, with some individuals diving down to 864 meters in search of food.

Given the estimated population of up to 8,000 short-finned pilot whales in Hawaiian waters, the total annual squid consumption could exceed 88,000 tonnes. This staggering figure emphasizes the ecological role these whales play in their environment, highlighting the critical need for stable squid populations in offshore waters.

The data acquired from this study also offers reassurance regarding the sustainability of the squid population necessary for supporting the local whale community. Currently, there appears to be no immediate threat to the food supply for these pilot whales. However, researchers caution that climate change could potentially disrupt the availability of deep-sea prey in the future. The findings of this study provide a valuable baseline for future research, enabling scientists to monitor changes in squid availability and the implications for the short-finned pilot whale population in Hawaii.