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Marine Mammal Research NEWS 2012

 

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Check out the NEW Dolphin & Whale watching Guide Book FREE @ Dolphin & Whale watching operators and south coast visitor centres

Sea of Whale Tails events for 2011



Eden: Whale Festival
Location: Snug Cove, Eden NSW
Date: 29th & 30th October 2011

Australian Orca Database
website launched www.ozorcas.com (AOD) was founded in 2009. Formally known as the “Southern Ocean Orca Database” (established in 1994), the AOD strives to build a better understanding of Australia’s top level predator…The killer whale (Orcinus orca).

New study uses non-lethal whale research methods

A pioneering study by Australian and New Zealand scientists has disproved the traditional position; that in order to study whales it was necessary to kill them. Conducted under the banner of the Southern Oceans Research Partnership (SORP), seventeen researchers gathered information about whales using skin biopsy, photography, satellite tagging and acoustics to study population structure, distribution, movement, feeding and ecological role of Southern Ocean whales.

During the expedition, the team attached 30 satellite tracking tags, collected 64 skin biopsy samples and 61 individual tail fluke photographs from humpback whales. They also deployed 110 sonobuoys which recorded the sounds of blue, humpback, minke, fin and sperm whales, as well as an unidentified beaked whale. Lastly, they were able to track the movements of blue whales for 36 hours.

The findings of their research will be presented to the International Whaling Commission meeting next year.