❓ Question regarding historical and current use of resting sites by humpback whales along the WA coast, and the impact of any changes on newborn whale health. The answer acknowledges the sites but lacks specific long-term monitoring data.
AnsweredQoN 6072Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
With regard to the whale movements associated with Humpback Whale Stock D along the Western Australian coast, I ask —
(1) Historically, were there more than six main resting sites associated with infant nursing and blubber accretion: Kimberley, Dampier Archipelago, Exmouth Gulf, Shark Bay, Cockburn Sound and Geograph Bay?
(2) Have any of these areas become more or less frequented in recent times?
(3) If yes to (2), which areas have had decreased visitation and why?
(4) If yes to (2), which areas have had increased visitation and why?
(5) If areas are having decreased visitation, is this having effect on the health and blubber accretion of the newborn humpback whales before they enter the southern ocean?
(1) Historically, were there more than six main resting sites associated with infant nursing and blubber accretion: Kimberley, Dampier Archipelago, Exmouth Gulf, Shark Bay, Cockburn Sound and Geograph Bay?
(2) Have any of these areas become more or less frequented in recent times?
(3) If yes to (2), which areas have had decreased visitation and why?
(4) If yes to (2), which areas have had increased visitation and why?
(5) If areas are having decreased visitation, is this having effect on the health and blubber accretion of the newborn humpback whales before they enter the southern ocean?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
6 November 2012
Responded by
Minister for Mental Health representing the Minister for Environment
Response time
42 days
(1) Five main nursery and resting sites frequented by humpback whale mothers and calves are reported in the literature: Kimberley, Exmouth Gulf, Shark Bay, the Houtman Abrolhos Islands and Geographe Bay. It is likely that there are additional sites either within these broad areas or between them.
(2)-(5) There are no specific long-term monitoring programs for the use of resting areas by humpback whales. However, ongoing monitoring of the humpback whale population that migrates along the Western Australian coast confirms that this population has continued to grow at a rate of about 10 per cent per annum since the cessation of whaling in 1963.
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(2)-(5) There are no specific long-term monitoring programs for the use of resting areas by humpback whales. However, ongoing monitoring of the humpback whale population that migrates along the Western Australian coast confirms that this population has continued to grow at a rate of about 10 per cent per annum since the cessation of whaling in 1963.
Notice: This document is created or edited using unregistered or evaluation copy of rtLib valid for testing or development purposes only. To use it for productive or any other purposes please register it. You may purchase the license on
http://www.rtlib.com
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