Greenland and Limpus., 2007:

"The number of cetaceans reported stranded or dead in 2006 (70 individuals) is consistent with the figures for the previous three years. Previously, the number has been mostly at 44-46 per annum, except for a high of 53 in 2000, and a low of 38 in 2003.

Twenty seven reports were received of cetaceans tangled in shark control program during 2006. These accounted for 39 per cent of all cetacean stranding and mortality reports for Queensland in 2006: 22 dolphins died; three dolphins and two humpback whales were released alive. Twenty four of these events involved nets, while three were associated with drum lines. In addition, there were no reports of cetaceans tangled in the netting of stinger enclosures. This is the highest number reported for the shark control program over the nine years that stranding reports have been compiled (Table 7). While the population of humpback whales migrating into Queensland waters for breeding continues to increase (Noad et al. 2006), in parallel increases can be expected for the number of entanglements in the shark control program nets and commercial fishing gear, collisions with vessels and deaths of young calves.

The 22 mortalities in shark safety program comprised some 47 per cent of confirmed reports of cetacean mortalities for Queensland in 2006."

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Citation and/or URL

Greenland, J. & Limpus, C.J. 2007, Marine wildlife stranding and mortality database annual report 2007 II. Cetacean and Pinniped. Environmental Protection Authority, Brisbane, Australia

Spatial Coverage

Queensland

Temporal Coverage

2006 with summary data back to 1998

Update Frequency

Other Information

None