The white killer whale spotted in Alaska’s Aleutian Islands sent researchers and the ship’s crew scrambling for their cameras. The nearly mythic creature was real after all.

MA’ALAEA, HI — A record number of whales were sighted during the 2008 Great Whale Count on Maui on Saturday, February 23, which recorded a total of 1,726 whale sightings in a three-hour period. Perfect weather conditions for whalewatching and a growing whale population are thought to be the reasons for the unprecedented number of humpback whale sightings.

Last week, U.S. District Judge Florence-Marie Cooper rejected President Bush’s attempt to exempt the U.S. Navy from laws protecting endangered whales. The judge noted that President Bush’s order was constitutionally suspect, leaving her injunction against sonic blasts in place. Such underwater bursts …

Gov. Linda Lingle and Lt. Gov. James R. “Duke” Aiona Jr. have signed a proclamation declaring February as “Humpback Whale Awareness Month” in Hawai’i, according to a news release. The goal of Humpback Whale Awareness Month is to enhance public awareness of Hawai’i’s official state marine mammal and increase public involvement in ocean stewardship.

February in Hawaii: It’s the best time to see burly NFL players on Oahu, thanks to the annual Pro Bowl. But even bigger stars can be seen all over the islands, or at least off their shores: the humpback whales.

Its widely believed the orcas are expanding their range because depleted Pacific Northwest stocks of salmon can no longer sustain them.

The National Marine Fisheries Service on Thursday released its recovery plan for Puget Sound’s endangered killer whales, aimed at lessening the threats posed to the orcas by pollution, vessel traffic and decreased availability of food. The goal is to enable the 88 whales…

Fifteen pilot whales died in beach strandings Wednesday in southern New Zealand while rescuers monitored progress of 15 others toward safer waters, conservation officials said. The whales —

He cites national security in aiming to override a judge’s injunction aimed at protecting marine mammals off Southern California. An environmental group promises to fight his move.

Landlubber hot spots up and down the Southern California coast for spotting whale spouts.