A study of the past and present status of humpback whales in east Australian waters

Abstract

Humpback whales Megaptera novaeangliae which migrate along the east Australian coast comprise part of the Area V (130°E–170°W) stock. Commercial exploitation of the species ceased in east Australian waters in 1962. From 1978 to 1982 observations were made from headland areas in the vicinity of latitude 27°S and the resultant data were compared with those obtained from the same latitude during the last two years of whaling operations. It appears that the east Australian humpback whale stock has recovered slightly in the past 20 years. Data collected from other locations along the east Australian coast suggest that previous whaling operations have not affected humpback whale migration patterns in that region. Sheltered waters within the Great Barrier Reef between latitudes 16°–21°S appear to be an important breeding ground for the east Australian humpback whale stock.