General Permit Application for Whales and Dolphins

Section 1. Supplementary Form A (see below)

Section 7. List of approvals, permits, and licences (pdf copies)

  • New South Wales, Office of Environment and Heritage, National Parks and Wildlife Service, Scientific License SL100195 (expiry date 30 June 2014)- Applied for renewal
  • New South Wales, Director-General's Animal Care and Ethics Committee, Animal Research Authority TRIM 11/2371 (expiry date 09 May 2014) - Applied for renewal
  • Queensland, Department of Employment, Economic Development and Innovation, Registration as a Scientific User Registration 307 (expiry date 08 May 2014) - Applied for renewal
  • Queensland, Department of Employment, Economic Development and Innovation, Registration as a Scientific User Registration CA 2011/04/502 (expiry date 30 June 2014) - Applied for renewal
  • Queensland, Department of Environment and Resource Management, Scientific Purposes Permit WISP 07811910 (expiry 01 December 2014)
  • Queensland, Department of Environment and Resource Management, Research Permit for Great Sandy Marine Park QS2011/GS040 (expiry 30 November 2015)
  • Queensland, Great Barrier Reef marine Park Authority G11/34324.1 (expiry 30 June 2014) - Applied for renewal

Section 8. Previous permits(pdf copies)

  • Permit # 2009-0002
  • Permit # 2011-0003

Supplementary Form A – Whales and Dolphins (Cetaceans)

Section 3.Attach an A4 sized map to show the boundaries of the area in which the action will be conducted.

Figure 1: Map showing the boundaries of study area along the Sapphire Coast, NSW.

Section 4. Action addressing the following points:

  1. The equipment and methods used to comply with the EPBC Act Regulations

Opportunistic and systematic (when possible) surveys will be conducted in the Eden region during the southern migration of humpback whales (Figure 1). Data will be collected in the form of digital photographs, digital video, audio recordings, and real time observations recorded on pre-formatted data sheets (refer to sections 5a for more details). Photo-identification of individual whales will be undertaken using established procedures (Forestell et al., 2003) that have led to the identification of over 6,000 humpback whales along the East Coast of Australia. Identifications will be collected by photographing the ventral surface of the fluke and the right/left views of the lateral body using digital SLR (Canon 7D) cameras equipped with 300-400mm zoom lenses. High-Definition (HD) video will also be used to document identifications, association patterns, and observed behaviours. A GPS will be used to record tracks of pods under observation as well as the vessel track (effort). Audio recordings will be collected opportunistically throughout the study period with the use of a hydrophone and digital recorder.

Protocols for this project were previously approved by AEC Queensland for the portion of the project, which is ongoing in the regions of Hervey Bay, Cooktown/Cairns, Mackay/Capricorn, and the Whitsunday Islands. Protocols have also previously approved by AEC New South Wales since 2009.

  1. What steps will be taken to minimize impacts on cetaceans

The proposed research is non-invasive and presents minimal impact to humpback whales. A small motorized vessel (to be purchased/rented) will unobtrusively approach and photographically identify individual whales. The vessel will be staffed by a minimum of three individuals: Driver/Observer, photographer, and a recorder. Constant watch will be observed while on and off effort to reduce potential vessel collisions. Surveys will also be limited to Beaufort Sea State ≤ 4 to further minimize the potential of injuring a whale by not detecting it in close proximity to the vessel.Whales will not be actively approached any closer than 50m and the vessel will operate at no-wake speed while within 100m of a focal group/animal. The vessel will remain in close proximity to the whales for a maximum of 30min but generally only a few minutes to allow for a clear picture of the flukes as well as left and right side of the dorsal fin to be obtained. Approaches within 100m to mother/calf pairs will be conducted with extreme caution and only for the time necessary to obtain a clear photo-identification of the flukes. Furthermore, observations will be discontinued if the focal pod/individual exhibits visible signs of disturbance or disruption of normal behaviours. Any unintentional disturbance or negative effects will therefore be negligible and short-term. All other observations can and will be undertaken farther away from the focal animals. Finally, communication by mobile phone and VHF radio with other vessels in the area will ensure that mothers with calves are not subjected to repeated disturbance.

  1. The objectives and purposes of the action

Refer to section 5a.

Section 5.Description of research relevant to the affected species that will be carried out in the course of or in conjunction with the proposed action.

  1. Research proposal

Project title:

Photographic identification of humpback whales (Megapteranovaeangliae) off the coast of Eden, New South Wales (NSW).

Aims and significance of the project:

Humpback whales are currently listed as “vulnerable” under the Australian Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act (1999, EPBC Act). The long-term purpose of this research project is to conduct a non-invasive study of population dynamics, migratory pathways, residency patterns, and habitat use of this species in the Eden region, NSW. This research project is also part of a wider study of humpback whales along the East Coast of Australia, from as far north as Cairns, with the Sapphire Coast being the southernmost point. This research will therefore contribute to the conservation of humpback whales by providing managers with insight into population parameters, critical habitats, and migratory pathways, thereby addressing high priorities of Federal/State management plans and the International Whaling Commission.

This study is a continuation of a long-standing research project in the Eden region, initiated in 1984. Given the long life expectancy of humpback whales (minimum of 50 years), long-term studies are therefore invaluable for a better understanding of the species ecology and its conservation. Continuing to undertake photo-identification of individual humpback whales and to opportunistically record whale songs/vocalization, in conjunction with surveys conducted at other sites along the Australian East Coast (Queensland, QLD) will allow refining abundance estimates, distribution, movement patterns and linkages between areasfor the humpback whales breeding Stock E-1. Indeed, while large scale migration patterns are well documented (e.g. Dawbin, 1966; Noadet al., 2008), the movement patterns along migratory routes, the degree of interchange, smaller scale habitat use and the factors that influence the selection of these areas remain poorly understood (Castro et al., 2008). Data will also be used to determine reproductive parameters for this population and to help define eastern Australia calving grounds.

Based on current knowledge of humpback whale, although some migratory interchange has been observed, particularly in the circumpolar Antarctic feeding areas (e.g. Garland et al., 2013; Schmitt et al., 2014), the eastern Australian and Oceania humpback whales are thought to be demographically independent (e.g. Garrigueet al., 2011; Olavarría et al., 2007; Jackson et al., 2013), with each breeding ground considered a sub-stock (e.g. E1, E2, E3, F; Jackson et al., 2009).There is also a growing evidence of adult movements between breeding populations from photo-identification (Garrigueetal., 2000, 2002; Kaufman et al., 2011).The Eden region has the potential to be a mixing area for the eastern Australia and Oceania sub-populations. Pacific Whale Foundation long-term study of the eastern Australia population has indicated habitat overlap between Hervey Bay and the Whitsunday Islands region (Forestell et al., 2003), between Hervey Bay and New Caledonia (Garrigueet al., 2000), and between Hervey Bay and Eden (PWF unpublished data). By connecting data from the breeding grounds (Great Barrier Reef, Cooktown, Port Douglas,Whitsunday Islands, Hervey Bay) to Eden, a gathering and feeding area (Rankin et al., in press), a better assessment of overall migratory movement and pathways as well as rates of interchange between regions will be generated(e.g. Burns et al., 2014), including Antarctic feeding grounds (e.g. Rock et al., 2006;Constantine et al., 2014).Furthermore, by broadening surveyeffort into high latitude breeding areas, the rate of encounters with females is likely to increase, thereby augmenting the probability of tracking individual reproductive histories (Forestell et al., 2006).It has been suggested that humpback whales with site-fidelity to eastern Australia may use the New Zealand migratory corridor when travelling to and from the Antarctic Area V feeding areas in the Ross Sea or the vicinity of the Balleny Islands (Franklin et al., 2012). Several satellite tags placed on humpback whales near Eden appear to confirm this movement towards New Zealand (Nick Gales, pers. comm.), an area with traditionally a closer connection to breeding grounds in Oceania than with those in eastern Australia. An understanding of the degree of mixing between humpback whales frequenting these two regions is therefore critical to an effective management and protection of these sub-populations.

Understanding population connectivity and population dynamics is crucial to better manage humpback whales breeding stocks in the South Pacific (Olavarriaet al., 2007). Although the eastern Australian humpback whale sub-population is recovering from intensive whaling, detailed analyses of annual changes in estimated abundance remain important for assessing a) the extent to which those changes represent a real increase to the overall breeding stock size; and b) the extent to which observed changes represent seasonal increases associated with temporary movement of whales between breeding stocks or within the sub-groups of a given breeding stock. Furthermore, despite the ongoing efforts of monitoring the photo-identification catalogue of the eastern Australia population, the percentage of individuals in that catalog probably represents a smaller percentage of the population (Garrigueet al., 2012). Consequently, the authors argued that “the current eastern Australia catalogue may not necessarily represent a large enough proportion of the growing population to warrant enough power to verify results from a comparison between the two regions” (i.e. Eastern Australia and New Caledonia). This highlights the importance of conducting photo-identification at different locations along the east Australian migration route.

Overall, this research will contribute to the conservation, effective management, and protection of humpback whales by providing managers with insight into population and reproductive dynamics, life histories, critical habitats, and clarifying connections and rates of interchange between regions Such information has been a critical component of the scientific argument to successfully prevent Japan from hunting humpback whales in the Southern Ocean.

Methods:

Overall Project Design

This project aims at conducting vessel surveys and photo-ID at the following locations along the east Australian migratory corridor, funding and logistics permitting: 1) Port Douglas/Cairns, QLD; 2) Whitsunday Islands, QLD; 3) Mackay/Capricorn (Northumberland Islands), QLD; 4) Hervey Bay, QLD; and 5) Eden, NSW. This multi-site project will be an extension of Pacific Whale Foundation’s previous photo-ID efforts along this migratory corridor since the mid-1980s.

Photo-identification data will be collected opportunistically and/or systematically via vessel-based surveys (including platforms of opportunity, i.e. whale-watching vessels), with the survey areas being within 100 km of the main harbour in each location. The primary goal of these surveys is to photographically document as many individual humpback whales as possible on each day of effort. On average, each survey day will consist of 9.5 hours of effort.

Photo-ID and Opportunistic Vessel Surveys

Opportunistic surveys will be conducted from a small dedicated research vessel or from platforms of opportunity, namely, whale-watching vessels, to undertake photo-identification using Canon 7D digital cameras equipped with wide angle and 300 or 400 mm zoom lenses (Forestell et al., 2003). Data will be collected in the form of digital photographs, digital video and audiotape recordings. Real time observations will be recorded on pre-formatted data sheets, including group location, size, composition, and environmental data. Photo-identification of individual whales will be undertaken using established procedures that have led to the identification of over 6,000 humpback whales along the east coast of Australia. Identifications are collected by photographing the ventral surface (underside) of the tail flukes and the right and left views of the lateral body. HD video will also be used to document identifications, association patterns, and observed behaviours. A Global Positioning System (GPS) will be used to record vessel track and position of whales under observation. Audio recordings will be collected opportunistically throughout the study period with the use of a hydrophone (underwater microphone) and digital recorder. The presence of other cetacean species encountered during surveys will also be recorded, namely: location, species, group size and group composition.

For each pod encountered, the following data are recorded: date, time, location (determined by a Garmin GPS), group size and composition (e.g. calf, adult, sub-adult), and general activity of the whales. In addition, observers record the following information for each image taken while photo-identifying whales: image number and content (e.g. fluke, lateral body, individual etc.). All images are subsequently catalogued and recorded according to image number, time, location, date, pod composition, size, and sex (if determined).

When operational constraints permit the use of a small motorized dedicated research vessel (6.2 m Naiad or equivalent, equipped with 150 hp outboard engine), it will unobtrusively approach a focal pod to photographically identify individual whales, following strict protocols to minimize disturbance (refer to section 4b). The vessel will be staffed by a minimum of three individuals: photographer, observer/driver and a data recorder.

Systematic vessel Surveys:

Systematic line transect surveys may be conducted to estimate the density of whales, weather and operational constraints permitting. The vessel with be staffed with a minimum of three individuals: port/starboard observers, data recorder, and driver. The vessel will travel at a speed of approximately 10 knots along predetermined transect lines that uniformly cover the permitted study area. An onboard GPS will be used to control transect fidelity and document location at each observation. When a whale group is sighted within 3 nautical miles of the transect line, searching effort will be typically discontinued and the research vessel will be directed toward the sighting group to estimate group size and composition and attempt photo-identification of all individuals within that groups. Photo-identification protocols described above will be followed during this type of surveys. The proposed surveys are non-invasive and present minimal impact to the whales.

Photo-ID Analyses

Photo-ID data analysis consists of two phases: 1) creation of a within-season catalogue and 2) matching the within-season catalogue to Pacific Whale Foundation main catalogue of over 6,000 individuals. This process is dependent upon a careful frame-by-frame record being maintained of all images taken in the field. Following each day’s field effort, the field notes are transcribed onto Microsoft Excel “Boat Log” files. These files detail the photographic and observational data of each observed pod. Every image is recorded with the date, pod number, image number, and photographer for the group of whales being documented. Every identifiable image for each pod of whales observed is then examined, and the best identifying image for each individual whale in a pod is noted and recorded in the “Boat Log” file.

The best identifying images for each individual in a pod are cropped, exposure adjusted, and printed. These prints are then organized into pre-defined pigmentation categories and placed into archival quality clear plastic photo sleeves. This process is the first step in creating a temporary, within-season catalogue. The next step involves checking all images in the temporary catalogue for within-season re-sightings and consolidating multiple photographs of the same individual into the same archival photo sleeve. At the end of the within-season analysis, the best image of each individual whale is selected and assigned a temporary unique code for that year. This process creates a Within-Season ID Catalogue that contains images of all the individual whales identified within a season, complete with their unique code.

Each of these unique individuals is then matched to Pacific Whale Foundation’s main catalogue, which contains images from eastern Australia, Tonga, American Samoa, New Zealand, and Antarctica. All fluke photograph comparisons are currently conducted manually by experienced matchers. The current matching process is selective in that each fluke photograph is first compared to all flukes in the same pigmentation category and then to all other categories that it could reasonably fall within (matcher’s discretion). All images are then quality scored according to the Cascadia Research Collective’s fluke image screening criteria called SPLASH (Calambokidiset al., 2008). Good quality images (total score <14) are stored in Pacific Whale Foundation’s main catalogue, whereas those of poorer quality and those where only the lateral portion of the fluke is visible are stored in a separate “insufficient flukes” catalogue. The sighting records for animals matched to the main catalogue are updated and new animals are assigned a unique animal number and added to the catalogue. The Foundation is also currently working at making its main catalogue accessible to the public by creating an online crowdsourcing platform for cross-identification of Australian humpback whales using citizen science (2012 AMMC grant), facilitating the matching process.