Print PageOutlook Online 2009
Interaction of climate change with whales
Management Concern: Moderate
Adequacy of Information: Low
Summary extracts from Outlook Report 2009
- Most whales appear to be maintaining intact populations. Humpback whales are recovering strongly after being decimated by whaling.
- Marine mammals are likely to be affected by climate change due to its impact on food resources.
What do we know?
Relevant pages from Outlook Online include:
- Population increase of humpback whales along the Eastern Australian coast
- Migration of humpback whales along the Australian east coast
- East Coast Australian humpback whale population study - 1978 to 1982 Surveys
- Status of recovering stock of humpback whales in Eastern Australian Waters - 1983 to 1987 Surveys
- Status of humpback whales in Eastern Australia thirty years after whaling - 1984 to 1992 Surveys
- Status of humpback whales in Eastern Australia at the end of the 20th Century - 1994 to 1999 Surveys
- Continued Increase in East Australian humpback whales in 2001 and 2002
- East coast Australian humpback whale population estimate - 2007 Survey
- Humpback whale Australian east coast relative and absolute abundances
- Blue whales
- Fin whales
- Sei whales
- Vulnerability of marine mammals in the Great Barrier Reef to climate change
Existing policies and management actions
- Operational Policy on Whale and Dolphin Conservation in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park
[450KB] - Protected Species in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park
- The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Zoning Plan
- Queensland’s Nature Conservation (Whale and Dolphin) Conservation Plan 1997
- Action Plan for Australian Cetaceans
- Australian Government policy on climate change
- Queensland Government climate change policies and strategies
- Climate Change Action Plan 2007-2012
Future management requirements
- Review of Operational Policy on Whale and Dolphin Conservation in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park
- Biodiversity strategy
- Draft Queensland Coastal Management Plan
Defined research questions
- There are currently no defined research questions for this topic. Research questions will be developed, giving priority to interactions/issues that are of most concern to management.
Related information
-
Free Zoning Maps
If you're heading out on the water, don't forget your free Zoning Map so you know where you can go and what you can do.
-
Whale of a time
The Great Barrier Reef is a hive of activity. If you're lucky enough to see a humpback whale from May to September, make sure you keep a safe distance.
-
Important milestone
We're delighted to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park's World Heritage listing.
-
Visit the Reef
Visit our Great Barrier Reef and discover its amazing plants, animals and habitats. There are a range of tourism experiences on offer.
-
What you can do
Everyone has a role to play in protecting our Great Barrier Reef. Find out what you can do to help protect this Great Australian icon.
-
Report marine strandings
If you see sick, dead or stranded marine animals please call RSPCA QLD 1300 ANIMAL
(1300 264 625) -
Climate Change and the Great Barrier Reef
A Vulnerability Assessment: of the issues that could have far-reaching consequences for the Great Barrier Reef.
