More than 10,000 North Pacific humpback whales migrate from southeastern Alaska to the warm waters of the Aloha State each year to mate, give birth and nurture their calves.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has received a petition from a fishing group asking that the northwest Atlantic Ocean's leatherback sea turtles be listed as threatened.

DoE says regulations protect a number of species, including sharks and Nassau grouper. The 17th annual Grouper Moon Project will be undertaken in early 2018.