Alaska Whale Foundation (AWF) is a non-governmental organization founded in 1996[1] and based in Warm Springs Bay, Alaska, that studies humpbacks and their habitat in Southeast Alaska.[2][3] AWF maintains the Coastal Research and Education Center, a permanent research base on Baranof Island.[4]
Since its foundation, AWF has conducted a number of research projects in Southeast Alaska including investigations into whale acoustics, cooperative bubble-netting,[5] cow-calf relationships and prey dynamics.[6][7][8]
AWF has also collaborated with UC Davis and Search for ExtraTerrestrial (SETI) Institute to study the impact of boat noise on humpback behavior.[9] AWF is part of the Alaska Region Marine Mammal Stranding Network and participates in marine mammal stranding response May through September.[10]
In 2010 the organization maintained a research vessel, Evolution.[11]
Scientists at the foundation make presentations to inform other researchers and the public about whale behavior.[12] Its members also participate in the Whale Entanglement Team, helping to save whales caught in netting.[13]