Working for Whales

Previously, commercial whale watching operators submitted manual forms to DBCA detailing whale encounter data as part of their whale watching operations. Working for whales aims to re-engage commercial whale watching operators, in collaboration with the DBCA, and encourage reporting whale encounter data (time, location, species, numbers), while also promoting their involvement in this program.

Moving either from their last fishing location back to port, or ferries crossing the same stretch of water consistently provide a fantastic opportunity for the collection of robust 'survey' data of whales. 

Through the Marine Fauna Sightings app, fishing vessels or ferries can provide sightings of whales easily. By initiating the survey function on the app, sightings will be linked to the track of the trip you are undertaking. This provides valuable information on where whales were sighted, but also where they weren’t seen which can be equally as valuable. This survey function has been designed in consultation with fishers who have been using this for several years, providing great data.

Operating well above the ocean gives charter flight operators great vision and coverage of large expanses of ocean, providing the opportunity for sighting whales across large areas. Much like ferries, charter flights often fly the same routes enabling them to potentially conduct 'surveys', which record where whales were sighted, but also where they weren’t seen which can be equally as valuable.

DPIRD and its research partners (AAD/ECU) are trialling automated camera systems which can be attached to charter planes. Capturing this imagery, georeferencing and AI image detection models will assist in determining the timing and location of migrating humpback whales.