Satellite tagging reveals movements and occupancy patterns of southern right whales in southern Australian waters and the southern ocean (poster)

Overview

Several southern right whale (Eubalaena australis) coastal calving areas have been identified in southern Australia, but little is known about movements outside these areas, or their overlap with anthropogenic activities. To address this, we aimed to:

• Track migratory movements from Encounter Bay, South Australia, using satellite telemetry.
• Identify behavioural changes across space and time and identify key occupancy areas.
• Evaluate spatial overlap with vessel traffic to inform conservation planning and future risk assessments. 

Southern right whales tagged in Encounter Bay, SA, exhibited a variety of movement, dive, and behaviour patterns across southern Australia and movements overlapped with major vessel traffic. All whales travelled west or southwest and two individuals calved after tagging, spending significant time in known coastal calving areas. Calving females also exhibited more area-restricted search behaviour, which is likely resting or nursing to aid calf growth. Vessel strike and entanglement in fishing gear are major threats to right whales, and the overlap with vessel traffic during the tagging period in this study raises concerns for the broader population while utilising waters of southern Australia.

Satellite tracking of southern right whales identified spatial and temporal variability in behaviour throughout southern Australia. Overlap with significant marine industry activity was also found, highlighting risks to this recovering population and providing information to support conservation under the National Recovery Plan for the Southern Right Whale. Behavioural analysis and overlap with significant shipping and fishing vessel presence highlight the need for a full risk assessment to be completed. This will aid in future management decisions as the population expands.