Distribution patterns of east Australian humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) in Hervey Bay, Queensland: a historical perspective
S. H. Stack A B , J. J. Currie A , J. A. McCordic A , A. F. Machernis A and G. L. Olson A
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations
A Pacific Whale Foundation, 300 Ma’alaea Road, Suite 211, Wailuku, Maui, HI 96793, USA.
B Corresponding author. Email: research@pacificwhale.org
Australian Mammalogy 42(1) 16-27 https://doi.org/10.1071/AM18029
Submitted: 24 April 2018 Accepted: 1 March 2019 Published: 24 April 2019
Journal Compilation © Australian Mammal Society 2020 Open Access CC BY-NC-ND
Abstract
Tourism activities are expanding in both terrestrial and marine environments, which can have detrimental effects on the target species. Balancing the amount of disturbance a population of animals receives against the educational value of tourism requires localised research and adaptive management. This study examined the distribution of humpback whales within Hervey Bay, Queensland, using data spanning 2004–16, just before the implementation of a commercial ‘swim-with-whales’ program. Spatial and temporal patterns of humpback whale calves were of particular interest given that they are more vulnerable to human-related disturbances than other group types. We found that humpback whales displayed a distinct spatial segregation in Hervey Bay based on pod composition. Most whales displayed a residency time of two to three days, with females having a somewhat shorter residency time than males. These findings suggest that humpback whales in Hervey Bay not only display temporal segregation dependent on maturation and reproductive status, but fine-scale spatial distribution based on pod composition. Understanding habitat preference and patterns of habitat use of humpback whales in Hervey Bay is critical for effective management of the newly sanctioned swim-with-whale tourism in Hervey Bay and the sustained recovery of humpback whales in this region.
Additional keywords: Balaenopteridae, habitat preference, population management
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