Pacific Whale Foundation’s Southern Hemisphere Humpback Whale Catalogue

Project Name:
Pacific Whale Foundation’s Southern Hemisphere Humpback Whale Catalogue

Project Dates:
Ongoing

Project Site(s):
East Australia, Tonga, American Samoa, West Australia, Antarctica

Project Aims:
Detailed data on humpback whale life history, behavior, spatial distribution, and human impacts.

Project Justification:
Pacific Whale Foundation’s Southern Hemisphere humpback whale research is the most detailed and long-term study for this population. The overarching goal of our work is to advance understanding of humpback whale biology, population status and human impacts. Our Southern Hemisphere Humpback Whale Catalogue is a synthesis of nearly three decades of research on unique individuals. It combines detailed data on life history, behavior, spatial distribution, and human impacts. The catalog is the foundation of our Australia research and is meticulously curated and updated to maintain its unique scientific value.  Our ID catalogue is internationally collaborative, with photographic contributions from researchers and opportunistic sources. PWF also provides information and data to state, federal and international managers of this species.

Project Methodology:
Pacific Whale Foundation’s Southern Hemispherecatalogue is maintained according to procedures and standards established by Katona et al., 1979; Kaufman et al., 1987; Forestell et al., 2003; and Cambolkidis et al.,2008 (SPLASH).

Project Permits:
Historical data collected under prior permits, and from outside contributions.

Current research:
Office of Environment and Heritage, NSW Government: Permit Number:  SL100195

 Queensland Government, Department of Employment, Economic Development and Innovation: Permit Number:  307

Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority: Permit Number:  G11/34324.1

Queensland Government, Environmental Protection Agency: Permit Number:  WISP07811910

Commonwealth of Australia, Department of Environment and Water Resources: 2009-002; C2011-003 pending

Animal Ethics Approvals:
Queensland Government, Department of Employment, Economic Development and Innovation

Department of Industry and Investment, Animal Research Authority, Animal Care and Ethics Committee, NSW

Collaborators:
See Research Collaboration list

Management Outcomes:
Comprehensive understanding of the population and reproductive dynamics, structure, migratory movements, and status of humpback whale populations in the Southern Hemisphere.

Publications/Presentations:
See Pacific Whale Foundation Publication/Presentation Summary