The Great Australian Bight Right Whale Study, 1991–2018: bridging the gap between science and industry to provide baseline data for impact assessment in oil and gas

2019 ◽  
Vol 59 (2) ◽  
pp. 534
Author(s):  
Claire Charlton ◽  
Robert D. McCauley ◽  
Rhianne Ward
Keyword(s):  
Impact Assessment ◽  
Oil And Gas ◽  
Conservation Management ◽  
Species Conservation ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Scientific Data ◽  
Right Whale ◽  
Eubalaena Australis ◽  
Southern Right Whales ◽  
Great Australian Bight

The Curtin University Great Australian Bight Right Whale Study (GABRWS) delivers cost effective scientific research to inform risk-based decision making and conservation management of Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act) listed endangered southern right whales (Eubalaena australis). The GABRWS has operated annually on Yalata Aboriginal lands at the Head of Bight in Australia’s largest calving ground, between 1991 and 2019, and at Fowlers Bay in the Nuyts Archipelago Marine Park between 2013 and 2019. The Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage (Environment) Regulations 2009 require operators to demonstrate an understanding of values and sensitivities (particularly EPBC-listed threatened species and Matters of National Environmental Significance) in the environment and show that impacts and risks from proposed activities are as low as reasonably practicable and of an acceptable level. The GABRWS delivers peer reviewed science on southern right whale recovery and population trends critical for stock and impact assessment. The study promotes collaboration between the scientific institutions, the community, oil and gas (O&G) operators, stakeholders, government and regulators. Data are publicly available through published scientific literature and communicated through university and sponsor reports, sponsor presentations, community events and international conferences. The GABRWS provides a unique win-win example of a university program bridging the gap between science and industry to promote species conservation management and provide cost effective baseline scientific data for impact assessment in O&G. Benefits to sponsors also include collaboration with research, community and government organisations; access to scientific data in real time; and promotion of community stewardship and reputation.

scholarly journals The use of underwater viewing deck of the semi-submersible whalewatching vessel Yellow Submarine at Península Valdés, Argentina as a platform of opportunity for scientifc research with the southern right whale, Eubalaena australis

10.5597/00242 ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 13 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 2-8
Author(s):  
Mariano Sironi ◽  
Lucía Alzugaray ◽  
Agustina Saez ◽  
Florencia Ornela Vilches ◽  
Alejandro Fernández Ajó ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Natural History ◽  
Data Collection ◽  
Short Duration ◽  
Weather Conditions ◽  
Scientific Data ◽  
Photo Identification ◽  
Right Whale ◽  
Eubalaena Australis ◽  
Southern Right Whales ◽  
History Of

Whale-watching vessels can be used as platforms to collect scientific data on the natural history of cetaceans. Vessels with underwater viewing decks are exceptional and offer a unique view of the whales. We assessed the underwater viewing platform of the semi-submersible vessel Yellow Submarine that operates off Puerto Pirámides, Península Valdés, Argentina as a platform of opportunity for southern right whale (Eubalaena australis) research. The variables considered during observations included, among others, the age class and sex of the animals observed, behavioral patterns, opportunities for individual photo-identification, distance and duration of the underwater observations and how weather conditions affected data collection. The Yellow Submarine offers a unique platform to make underwater observations of southern right whales in this calving ground. The main limitations are the relatively short duration of the observations and reduced visibility in spring.

MARINE MONITORING: CHRONIC OR ACUTE PROBLEMS

1992 ◽  
Vol 32 (1) ◽  
pp. 413
Author(s):  
Peter Farrell ◽  
John Yeates
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Impact ◽  
Impact Assessment ◽  
Environmental Impact Assessment ◽  
Oil And Gas ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Scientific Validity ◽  
North West ◽  
Regulatory Authorities ◽  
Census Methods ◽  
The Impact

A mosaic-like compendium of information on the marine biotic environment of the North West Shelf has been compiled from a number of different sources. The areas most valued coincide with those most vulnerable to disturbance. Regulatory authorities require some form of impact assessment to be carried out by oil and gas explorers and producers as a condition of operation. Considerable expenditure is incurred annually by these companies in complying with these requirements, but current assessment methods do not always consider the scale of possible impacts nor the scientific validity of the results. Despite acceptance, and therefore implied approval of these assessments by the regulatory authorities, adjustments should be made to the current methodology to improve the cost effectiveness of the assessments and to improve the scientific validity of the results.Design of environmental impact assessment of exploration and production operations should consider the relative weighting given to potential acute versus chronic impacts. Prediction of possible impacts enables quantifiable relevant parameters for impact assessment to be identified. Monitoring of indicator species is a cost-effective method of detecting acute effects. Community census methods can be used to detect chronic effects.Statistical analysis of data is a vital, yet frequently ignored, aspect of environmental impact assessment, as is the depositing of voucher specimens for future reference. Statistical analysis can be based on either changes in the difference between specific parameters at the impact and control sites, or comparison of variance between sites over time. Decisions regarding sample area and number of sample replicates should be made based on the required precision of the assessment.

Half a century of sightings data of southern right whales in Mar del Plata (Buenos Aires, Argentina)

2019 ◽  
Vol 100 (1) ◽  
pp. 165-171
Author(s):  
Maria A. Mandiola ◽  
Gisela Giardino ◽  
Julián Bastida ◽  
Sergio Morón ◽  
Diego H. Rodríguez ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Buenos Aires ◽  
Buenos Aires Province ◽  
Western Atlantic ◽  
Right Whale ◽  
Eubalaena Australis ◽  
Coastal Marine ◽  
Past Half Century ◽  
Southern Right Whales ◽  
Inshore Waters

AbstractIn South-western Atlantic waters, individuals of the southern right whale (SRW) Eubalaena australis spend part of the year (the austral winter and spring) in northern inshore waters where they breed and then migrate to southern feeding grounds during the summer. Mar del Plata (MDP) is located between two main reproductive areas (Península Valdés-Argentina and Santa Catarina-Brazil). The purpose of the present study is to report the presence of SRWs on their journey off the coast of MDP based on sighting records during the past half century. We carried out whale observations through systematic weekly coastal marine mammal surveys in different points of the MDP area from 1966 to 2016. The first SRW sighting was recorded in 1970; since then, sighting frequency has gradually increased, reaching a peak of 28 sightings (N = 63 whales) in 2016. These are unique long-term sighting records of SRWs in Argentina and the first on their journey off the shores of Buenos Aires province. We expect that these results will help local authorities to regulate tourism and other activities in the area and thereby contribute to the conservation of the species.

scholarly journals Stranding events of southern right whales, Eubalaena australis, in southern Brazil

2020 ◽  
pp. 157-160
Author(s):  
Antonio B. Greig ◽  
Eduardo R. Secchi ◽  
Alexandre N. Zerbini ◽  
Luciano Dalla Rosa
Keyword(s):  
Storm Surges ◽  
Anthropogenic Factors ◽  
Brazilian Coast ◽  
Illegal Hunting ◽  
Right Whale ◽  
Eubalaena Australis ◽  
Marine Traffic ◽  
Right Whales ◽  
Southern Right Whales ◽  
The Right

Although international protection has been granted since 1935, southern right whales have only recently shown signs of recovery, possiblydue to anthropogenic factors. Off Brazil, illegal hunting of right whales occurred until 1973. This paper reports on surveys conducted alongthe southern Brazilian coast and the information recovered on right whale strandings for this area from 1977-1995. In the first 10 years ofthis period only four cases were registered. However, in contrast, 20 cases were counted during the last nine years. These results arediscussed in relation to marine traffic and the fisheries in the area that produce risks of collision and entanglement. Further, the possibilityof storm surges being a preponderant factor in the mortalities in this area is presented. These yearly rates are compared with neighbouringareas that are also inhabited by the right whales. Both possibilities fit the hypothesis that the right whales using the Brazilian coast forbreeding may finally be showing signs of recovery.

First molecular estimate of sex-ratio of southern right whale calves, Eubalaena australis, for Brazilian waters

2009 ◽  
Vol 89 (5) ◽  
pp. 1003-1007 ◽  
Author(s):  
Larissa Rosa de Oliveira ◽  
Paulo Henrique Ott ◽  
Paulo A.C. Flores ◽  
Salvatore Siciliano ◽  
Raquel Santos de Almeida ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sex Ratio ◽  
The Other ◽  
Brazilian Coast ◽  
Southern Brazil ◽  
Rio Grande Do Sul ◽  
Original Population ◽  
Baleen Whales ◽  
Right Whale ◽  
Eubalaena Australis ◽  
Southern Right Whales

The southern right whale (Eubalaena australis) was one of the most intensively hunted whales between the 17th and 20th centuries in the southern hemisphere. Recent estimates indicate that today there are around 7000 whales, representing 5 to 10% of its original population. On the other hand, recent studies estimated that the population that migrates to the Brazilian coast grew by 14% from 1987 to 2003. However, there is no information about sex-ratio for adults or for calves in this region, which is an important parameter for understanding the biology of the species. We present here the first estimate of calves' sex-ratio of southern right whales found along the southern Brazilian coast, one of the most important wintering grounds for the species. Sex was molecularly indentified for 21 biopsies collected from calves between 1998 and 2002, along the coast of Rio Grande do Sul and Santa Catarina States, in southern Brazil. The sex-ratio was two females for one male, however, it was not statistically different (χ2 test, α = 0.05; df = 1) from the expected ratio of 1:1. This result is in accordance with the sex-ratio estimated for the species of all ages using external morphology (and behaviour information), as well as for most species of baleen whales.

Southern right whales (Eubalaena australis) off Torres, Brazil: group characteristics, movements, and insights into the role of the Brazilian-Uruguayan wintering ground

Mammalia ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 81 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel Danilewicz ◽  
Ignacio B. Moreno ◽  
Maurício Tavares ◽  
Federico Sucunza
Keyword(s):  
Right Whale ◽  
Eubalaena Australis ◽  
Right Whales ◽  
Southern Right Whales ◽  
Group Characteristics ◽  
Wintering Ground

AbstractThe southern right whale (SRW),

Humpback whales Megaptera novaeangliae and southern right whales Eubalaena australis in Gerlache Strait, Antarctica

Polar Record ◽  
1988 ◽  
Vol 24 (148) ◽  
pp. 15-20 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gregory S. Stone ◽  
William M. Hamner
Keyword(s):  
Open Water ◽  
Euphausia Superba ◽  
Megaptera Novaeangliae ◽  
Humpback Whales ◽  
Southern Limit ◽  
Right Whale ◽  
Eubalaena Australis ◽  
Right Whales ◽  
Southern Right Whales ◽  
The Right

AbstractDuring surveys conducted 2–20 April 1986 in Gerlache Strait, Antarctic Peninsula, 103 humpback whales Megaptera novaeangliae and eight right whales Eubalaena australis were sighted. The right whale sightings extend the southern limit of known distribution for the species. Humpback and right whale densities were respectively 0.22 (sd 0.23) and 0.01 (sd 0.06) whales per survey mile. Highest densities for both species were recorded inside bays, rather than in the relatively open water of Gerlache Strait. Both species were feeding on Antarctic krill Euphausia superba. Twenty-three humpback and four right whales were identified individually using photographs of natural features. Also included are sighting records of 18 southern bottlenose whales Hyperoodon planifrons.

scholarly journals The missing whales: relevance of “struck and lost” rates for the impact assessment of historical whaling in the southwestern Atlantic Ocean

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Morgana Vighi ◽  
Asunción Borrell ◽  
Jennifer A Jackson ◽  
Emma L Carroll ◽  
Maria Grazia Pennino ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Atlantic Ocean ◽  
Initial Population ◽  
Physeter Macrocephalus ◽  
Southwestern Atlantic ◽  
Sperm Whales ◽  
Right Whale ◽  
Eubalaena Australis ◽  
Southwestern Atlantic Ocean ◽  
Southern Right Whales ◽  
The Impact

Abstract The massive impact that open-boat historical whaling (18th to 20th centuries) had on whale populations has been traditionally estimated from records of oil and baleen plate production. However, an unknown proportion of hunted whales were struck, wounded, eventually killed, but lost, and not included in these records, suggesting that whaling impact may be critically underestimated. Whaling logbooks provide a key source for assessing past catches and losses. Here, we extract detailed records of 19875 days of activity in the southwestern Atlantic Ocean from 255 logbooks of offshore whaling voyages. During the period considered (1776–1923), whalers first targeted southern right whales (Eubalaena australis, 2497 sightings and 658 catches), gradually substituted by sperm whales (Physeter macrocephalus, 1157 sightings and 843 catches) after 1840. Loss rate factors, calculated to account for the number of “struck and lost” whales, decreased across time for both species, and were particularly high (ranging 1.09–1.6) for the southern right whale, whose population was drastically reduced by whaling, as compared to previous estimates based on rough catch records. Accurate accounting for these “lost” individuals is essential for reconstructing the impact of whaling on cetacean populations and for a proper assessment of their initial population size and demographic trends.

scholarly journals Population estimate and rate of increase of southern right whales Eubalaena australis in southeastern Australia

2020 ◽  
Vol 41 ◽  
pp. 373-383
Author(s):  
K Stamation ◽  
M Watson ◽  
P Moloney ◽  
C Charlton ◽  
J Bannister
Keyword(s):  
South Australia ◽  
Population Estimate ◽  
Abundance Estimate ◽  
Right Whale ◽  
Eubalaena Australis ◽  
Southeastern Australia ◽  
Rate Of Increase ◽  
Right Whales ◽  
Southern Right Whales ◽  
Australian Coastline

In Australian waters, southern right whales Eubalaena australis form 2 genetically distinct populations that have shown contrasting patterns of recovery since whaling ceased: a western population in South Australia and Western Australia and an eastern population in southeastern Australia (Tasmania, Victoria and New South Wales). Here, we provide an abundance estimate derived from a breeding female superpopulation mark-recapture model for the southeastern southern right whale population. The population comprises 268 individuals (68 breeding females) and has increased at a rate of 4.7% per annum between 1996 and 2017. There has been no significant change in the annual abundance of mother-calf pairs sighted at the only calving ground (Logans Beach in Victoria) over the last 3 decades. The total number of southern right whales (i.e. all adults and calves) using the southeastern Australian coastline has increased by 7% since 1985. Unlike the population estimate (which was restricted to breeding females sighted prior to the post-breeding southward migration), this estimate is likely to include transiting whales from the southwestern population. The theoretical population model predicts 19 breeding females at Logans Beach in 2018 and 28 in 2028; the actual number of breeding females, as of 2018, is 14. This study provides the first complete estimate of population size and rate of increase of southern right whales along the southeastern Australian coastline. This knowledge is critical for assessing population status and recovery of southern right whales in Australia. It provides a basis for monitoring persistence and responses of the population to environmental stressors.

scholarly journals Occurrence of southern right whales (Eubalaena australis) along southeastern Brazil

2020 ◽  
pp. 153-156
Author(s):  
Marcos César De Oliveira Santo ◽  
Salvatore Siciliano ◽  
Shirley Pacheco de Souza ◽  
Jose Luis Altmayer Pizzorno
Keyword(s):  
Southeastern Brazil ◽  
Incidental Capture ◽  
Right Whale ◽  
Eubalaena Australis ◽  
Right Whales ◽  
Southern Right Whales

This paper reports on the occurrence of southern right whales (Eubalaena australis) in southeastern Brazilian waters (18°S-25°S), withevidence of their use of the region as an important calving area. Only in recent years have right whale sightings and strandings been reportedregularly within the surveyed area. Of 71 distinct sightings reported since 1936, 39 (54.9%) were mother-calf pairs observed close to theshore. Most of these sightings (91.5%) were reported from early July to late October. Eight confirmed strandings of this species wereobserved within the surveyed area, six of which were between July and October. Stranded calves represented 62.5% of these records. Twocalves showed evidence of incidental capture. The increasing number of sightings, and recent reports of stranded calves and one adultfemale could be indicative of an increase in cetacean research efforts in the region. However, it also suggests use of the southeasternBrazilian coast as an important right whale calving area.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document