Geographical and temporal movements of humpback whales in Western Australian waters

1 Pages·2001·0.33 MB·

by  C Jenner

538 ABSTRACTS
GEOGRAPHICAL AND TEMPORAL MOVEMENTS The northern endpoint of migration and resting area for
OF HUMPBACK WHALES IN WESTERN reproductivelyactivewhales in the population appears tobe
AUSTRALIAN WATERS. (ABSTRACT) This reportwas CamdenSoundintheKimberley.A6,750squaremileareaof
initiated by a research grant from Woodside Energy to the Kimberley region, inclusive ofCamden Sound, has also
inlerpret the timing of movements of humpback whales been identifiedasamajorcalving ground. Thenorthern and
(Megaptera novaeangtiae) through the Kimberley region of southernmigratorypathshavebeenshowntobedivergentat
north Western Australia. Through extra funding by the Perth Basin. Dampier Archipelago and Kimberley
EnvironmentAustralia,thescaleoftheprojectwasexpanded regions. In all cases the northern migratory route is further
toananalysisofthe Western Australianphoto-identification off-shore.
catalogue for the purpose of describing the temporal and Datafromphotographicallyresightedindividualssuggests
spatialmovementsofthesewhales,ascompletelyaspossible, thatsingers(reproductivelyactivemalewhales)mayhavethe
along their entire migratory route. Through compilation of slowestmigratoryrateofall measuredageandsexclassesin
historical whaling data, recent aerial and boat-based survey the population, including cow/calfpods. However, current
data,ageneral framework fortheoverall peakso(migration migratory rate estimates, when compared with historical
hasbeen estimated. Datatobeobtained from theanalysisof whalingdata,arelikelytobenegativelybiasedsincetheyare
individuallyidentifiedwhalesusingacomputerisedmatching measuredacrossregionsthatincluderestingareas, Estimates
systemisexpectedtoadd furtherdetailandaccuracytothese of residency periods in resting areas gained from
estimatesatthecompletionofthisproject(May2001). photographic resight analysis can be expected to help
The migratory paths of humpback whales along the quantifythisbias.
cWroeesnstttiiennrgennatrAaeulasstsarhlaeollinfagnbthoceouanmsidtgarrcayatnoorbryep2ea0xthp0emhcatvebedatbtheoyemnleiteirdwyein,tthifiMinaejdtoharet CWuhralle&RMeiscehaerlcihne(-WNiAc)olTencJ,enPnOerBaonxdK1.62M2,cCFarbeem,anCtelnetr6e9f59o,r
Exmouth Gulf(southern migration only) and at Shark Bay. Australia; 29August2000.
REALTIMETRACKINGOFHUMPBACKWHALES. correcting for tides, earth curvature and refraction. The
(AHSTRACT)Forseveralyearsateamofresearchershasbeen program determines which pod was observed and plots its
based at Byron Bay for a two-week period to observe, positionon amap shownon thecomputerscreen, aswell as
photograph and identify humpback whales (Megaptera thepod'smakeup,activity,speed,course,distance,direction
novaeangliae), In the past, compass binoculars and a crude andtimeofobservation.Theprogramalsoallows forfactors
device called a TCM card were used to obtain a pod's suchasweatherconditionsandvisibilitytobeinputaswellas
position. Optical theodoliteswerelaterusedtoacquiremore having the capability ofpredicting a pod's position at any
accurate locationsofwhalepodsbutrequired largeamounts time based on itsaverage speed and course. Thesystem has
ofpost processing. Since 1998 staffand students from the helped in obtainingaccurate position fixesofwhalepods in
University oi Newcastle have assisted in the Cape Byron real timeanddisplayingthe information inauseful manner.
Whale Research Project by using their surveying skills to
(mt'thhCeWeeyaiocsndhluodoorlropieiswtz'esopnooth9draa5ls/tloNotaTbcan)ealdt.eisnotOvnaensdtr.cietoveinAcealtclhoorepenaeaninldeng.sclttteiTrsemhudemeaetrtnoerstaaydcsiikpstrieeepnrcmogstiolnsncytyaoesnlsdsteicentstomotmsatcpoauopltofltedeh.rade ERDEDinraesgivpeic.iandSreKutePnnramiriteeinosnsgntet.B((Ueeoen-af-imcmavhaiCe,ilirl:vsN:iiioltLo,[email protected],gchiAmacnuansgseittlllr.ea.ac,nlnoiedmaw.N;caeE2auwn9s)c,vtAalis2uer1tg.ouleNnsedctmuie2.2h0na3e(tu01r0)a8h.,;lv
computer. 'Cyclops' then calculates the position ofthepod
AUSTRALIAN WHALE-WATCH REGULATIONS focal humpback whale pods in Queensland and New South
AND GUIDELINES: ARE OPERATORS Waleswereplotted. This providedan indication ofoperators'
COMPLYING? (ABSTRACT)Effectivemanagementofdie compliance with distance and approach guidelines and
whale-watchindustry isdependentonoperators'compliance regulations. Questionnaire surveys were used to elicit the
with the appropriate management regimes. Operators' potential influence of operators' beliefs and perceptions
compliancewith existing regulationsand guidelinesand the concerningthewhale-watchguidelinesoncompliance.
manner in which regulations have been enforced have not Resultstodateareindicativeofahighlevelofcompliance
beensmdied indetail. Differentmanagementandregulatory to the whale-watch guidelines/regulations. Almost all
strategies across adjacent jurisdictions are present in instances of vessels in closer proximity than 100m to the
Australia,thusallowing fortheircomparison. whales were due to the movement ofthe pod towards the
The study aims to test whether existing distance and vessel. Additionally, survey questionnaire data reflect
approachconditionsforwhale-watchvesselsareaneffective approval ofthe regulations/ guidelines, thus supporting the
regulatory tool. Although National Guidelines have been quantitativeresult.
introduced in Australia, regulatory controls differ between
states, allowing a comparison ofmanagement strategies. A Joline M. Lalime-Bauer, School of Tropical Environment
combinationofobservationaldataandqualitativesurveysarc StudiesandGeography,James Conk University. Townsville
beingusedtoelicitthefullpictureoftheeffectivenessofthese 48]I, Australia (e-mail; joline.lalime-hauei\ajcu.edu.au);
strategies. Movementsofwhale-watch vessels in relationto 29August2000.