Distribution, abundance and biology of Group V humpback whales ...

1.Introduction
In 1997, the Department of Environment published the
Conservation and management of whales and dolphins
in Queensland 1997–2001 to guide their conservation
and management. The publication included a review of
humpback whale scientifi c literature and a management
plan that sought to ensure the protection of the species.
The aim of this report is to provide information for current
managers and staff involved in the conservation and
management of humpback whales in Queensland. The
report is primarily based on but not restricted to the key
scientifi c literature published since 1997. For conciseness,
reviews have been cited when possible. Papers presented at
the Humpback 2000 Conference, Brisbane, are not included.
Information relating to the distribution, biology and
abundance of Group V humpback whales is summarised
to provide information about the coastal resources required
by the species especially when in Queensland waters. The
distribution of the species is described at international,
national and regional scales. Summaries of the Group
V migration route, site fi delity, herd structure and habitat
preferences are presented. Details of individual identifi cation
techniques using both invasive and non-invasive methods
are provided with information relating to the impact of the
methodologies. To illustrate the recovery of the species, the
population estimates and rates published by various groups
are summarised and presented graphically.
The references cited are stored in the Environmental
Protection Agency’s marine mammal bibliographic database.
The database is a Procite application and currently contains
560 records. Each record includes a copy of the abstract,
contact details for requesting reprints and reprints held by
the Agency. Staff licensed to use the software Procite can
access a copy of the database from the Central Offi ce
L drive path L:/whale database/MAR-MAM bibliography.
The records can be searched using a variety of
management-related keywords.
2 • Distribution, abundance and biology of Group V humpback whales Megaptera novaeangliae: A review • August 2002
2 Conservation status
2.1 Status in Queensland
The humpback whale Megaptera novaeangliae is protected
under Queensland legislation out to 3 nautical miles offshore
and under Australian legislation within the Australian
Exclusive Economic Zone (offshore to 200 nautical miles).
In Queensland, the humpback is a protected species under
the Nature Conservation Act 1992 and is listed as vulnerable
under the Nature Conservation (Wildlife) Regulation 1994.
Figure 1 shows the locations of Queensland marine parks
declared under the Marine Parks Act 1982.
Eastern Hervey Bay was the fi rst site to be specifi cally
declared for the protection of humpback whales. The
marine park, declared in 1989, has a single “general use
zone” which is also a Designated Whale Management and
Monitoring Area. The objective of this area is to manage
human activities in the vicinity of humpback whales
Megaptera novaeangliae and to monitor the effects of such
activities to ensure the protection of whales (Department of
Environment and Conservation 1989). Hervey Bay Marine
Park and Moreton Bay Marine Park are the only two areas
where the Queensland Government permits commercial
whale watching.
Since 1997, the humpback has been managed in
Queensland waters under the Nature Conservation
(Whales and Dolphins) Conservation Plan 1997 and the
approved management program for the conservation
of whales and dolphins in Queensland 1997–2001. The
humpback whale is identifi ed as a priority species for
management and declares four areas of special interest for
whales (Department of Environment 1997). Each area of
interest has specifi c management approaches that provide
for the protection of humpback whales.
In the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, the humpback is
managed under the Commonwealth policy Whale and
Dolphin Conservation in the Great Barrier Reef Marine
Park 2000. The policy intends to complement and reinforce
other State, Commonwealth and internal conservation and
management initiatives. The policy details the Whitsunday
and Cairns Regions as areas specifi cally managed to
minimise the impacts of commercial whale watching.
2.2 Status in Australia
Under Commonwealth legislation, Environment Protection
and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999, the humpback is
listed as a vulnerable migratory and threatened species.
In 1999, the Environment Protection and Biodiversity
Conservation Act 1999 replaced three Commonwealth
legislative instruments protecting the humpback — the
National Parks and Wildlife Act 1975, the Whale Protection
Act 1980 and the Endangered Species Protection Act 1992.
In 1998, the humpback was down-listed from endangered
to vulnerable under the Endangered Species Protection Act
1992. The Action Plan for Australian Cetaceans 1996 listed
the humpback as vulnerable.