Noad et al., 2008:

"Land-based data indicate that the long-term pattern of rapid increase in the size of the east Australian population of humpback whales continues without any apparent slowing. The average number of whales passing Point Lookout per 10h over the peak four weeks of the northward migration was 70.7 whales. When placed in the context of long-term trends, it slightly increases the long-term rate of population growth to 10.9% (95% CI 10.5-11.4%).

Estimates of absolute abundance for 2007 were made by extrapolating from the 2004 absolute abundance estimate. Using the land-based correction factor for groups available but missed estimated in 2004, 2007 absolute abundance is estimated at 9,683 whales (95% CI 8,740 – 10,729). Using the higher correction factor derived from the 2007 aerial surveys, 2007 absolute abundance is estimated at 12,599 whales (95% CI 9,874 – 16,076)."

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Citation and/or URL

Noad, M., Dunlop, R., Cato, D., and Paton, D. (2008).  Abundance estimates of the east Australian Humpback whale population.  Final report for the Australian Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts.  28pp.   

Spatial Coverage

South East Queensland

Temporal Coverage

2007

Update Frequency

Not applicable 

Other Information

None