NESP MaC Project 1.22 - A photo-identification study of southern right whales to update aggregation area classification in the southwest of Australia

Research Project

Researchers: Salgado Kent, Chandra (Principal investigator) ,  Salgado Kent, Chandra (Principal investigator) ,  Emma Flukes (Point of contact) ,  Emma Flukes (Point of contact)

Brief description This record provides an overview of the NESP Marine and Coastal Hub small-scale study - "A photo-identification study of southern right whales to update aggregation area classification in the southwest of Australia". For specific data outputs from this project, please see child records associated with this metadata. -------------------- The population of Southern Right Whales (SRW) in the Southern Hemisphere has been recovering slowly from near extinction due to its decimation from whaling before its ban in the mid-1970’s. As the species recovers, there is increasing evidence of expansion of aggregation areas. Consequently, there is a need to update known established aggregation areas and Biologically Important Areas (BIAs) and update relevant Marine Parks management plans based on new evidence. This project proposes to collate and complete photo-ID matching since 2010 to 2020 in the southwest of Australia and upload images to the National ARWPIC catalogue. Outputs • Photo-identifications of individual whales in southwestern Australia for 1991-2021 (photo-matches contributed to ARWPIC) • A report including evidence and recommendations for updating aggregation area classification in the southwest of Australia according to the Commonwealth criteria [written]

Lineage Maintenance and Update Frequency: asNeeded

Notes Credit
Chandra Salgado Kent (Edith Cowan University), Chris Burton (Western Whale Research), Marnie Giroud (Eco Gecko Environment & Design)

Notes Credit
National Environmental Science Program (NESP) Marine and Coastal Hub

Notes Credit
Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment (DAWE), Australian Government

Notes Credit
In addition to NESP (DAWE) funding, this project is matched by an equivalent amount of in-kind support and co-investment from project partners and collaborators.

Notes Purpose
To provide key knowledge on SRWs that will enable improved management and policy around human activities and their potential impacts in critical breeding/calving habitat in Australia’s southwest at both Commonwealth and state levels.

Data time period: 2021-09-01 to 2022-04-30

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