Most of the world's leading scientists agree that global warming caused by human activity is occurring. The exact implications of these changes are unknown, but it is predicted that there will be reduced productivity of Southern Ocean ecosystems and unpredictable weather events caused by increasing ocean water temperatures, changing ocean currents, rising sea levels and reductions in sea ice.
The potential impacts of climate and oceanographic change on blue, fin and sei whales are twofold:
Habitat availability
Whale migration, feeding, breeding, and calving site selection for these species may be influenced by factors such as ocean currents and water temperature. Any changes in these factors could affect recovery by rendering currently used habitat areas unsuitable.
Food availability
Changes to climate and oceanographic processes may also lead to decreased productivity and different patterns of prey distribution and availability. Such changes would certainly effect dependant predators such as blue, fin and sei whales.
Prey depletion due to over harvesting
Blue, fin and sei whales rely on krill as a main food source and require adequate supplies to accumulate energy reserves essential for migration and breeding. Depletion of krill through over harvesting may be a potential future threat for Australian populations of these species. However, it should be noted that:
the krill fishery is managed through the Convention on the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR) on an ecosystem basis which takes into account the needs of predators such as whales; and
while the fishery is likely to grow, fishing currently occurs well within the current precautionary limits.
Actions to achieve the objectives
Population recovery
Implement a program to measure population abundance, trends and recovery for Australian populations of blue, fin and sei whales
Included within this activity will be the need to:
establish models for measuring the recovery and status of blue whales, incorporating a range of indicators (e.g. population numbers, structure, use of habitats etc);
engage in the IWC southern ocean survey process to determine meaningful population estimates for fin and sei whales;
gather information on population structures and limits – e.g. through the use of genetic analysis; and
continue to collect long-term data sets using standardised survey methodologies for blue whales in a statistically robust manner.
Part Potential threats - Blue, Fin and Sei Whale Recovery Plan 2005-2010 - Potential threats | Zoe
Habitat use and needs
Implement a program to better define the characteristics (spatial, temporal, physical) of calving, feeding, and migratory areas
Included within this activity will be the need to:
gather information on movements, migrations, and feeding grounds – e.g. through the use of satellite tracking, acoustic monitoring and other survey methods; and
determine the values and characteristics of important migratory pathways and aggregation areas (calving, resting, and feeding) particularly in areas where human use is likely to impact upon the species.
Protection from threats
Prevent commercial whaling and/or the expansion of scientific whaling
Australia should maintain its position on promoting high levels of protection for blue, fin and sei whales in all relevant international agreements including the IWC, CITES, CMS, fisheries-related agreements, and Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meetings (ATCM).
Australia should continue to support a ban on directed take of blue, fin and sei whales.
Protect habitat important to the survival of the species
Ensure that in areas important to the survival of the species environmental assessment process and research activities are in place to determine the level of impact and threat of human activities, and implement management measures to ensure the ongoing recovery of each species. This should include, but not be limited to, the following actions:
assess and manage acoustic disturbance – including the development and application of administrative guidelines under the EPBC Act such as the “Guidelines on the application of the EPBC Act to interactions between offshore seismic operations and larger cetaceans”;
encourage best practice approaches that will reduce the likelihood of blue, fin and sei whales being entangled in marine debris, fishing and aquaculture equipment. If entanglements occur, manage the impact of individual entanglements where possible through the application of national standards for disentangling large cetaceans;
ensure that habitat requirements of blue, fin and sei whales are considered in the establishment and management of marine conservation areas and reserves;
manage the potential impacts of tourism – e.g. through the application of consistent Commonwealth and State tourism and whale watching regulations; and
assess and manage physical disturbance and development activities (such as ship-strike, aquaculture, pollution, recreational boating, and exploration and extraction industries) – including the application of environmental impact assessment and approvals and the development of industry guidelines and State/Commonwealth government regulations.
Implement education programs to inform marine users (e.g. whale watchers, fishermen, and shipping crews using important habitat) about best practice behaviours and regulations when interacting with whales.
Monitor and manage the potential impacts of prey depletion due to over harvesting
Improve knowledge of blue, fin and sei whale feeding ecology, and the ecology of prey species in order to determine if or when prey depletion becomes a threat.
Australia should support regional ecosystem approaches to krill management through its involvement in CCAMLR and other fora.
Monitor climate and oceanographic change
Develop an understanding of the effects of climate and oceanographic change on blue, fin and sei whale populations to determine if species survival and recovery are being, or are likely to be affected.
Major benefits to other native species or ecological communities
As blue, fin and sei whales are wide ranging species, marine management protection regimes may have some benefits for other cetaceans found within Australian waters, in particular other oceanic mysticete species such Bryde’s and minke whales, as well as the more coastal (in Australian waters) humpback and southern right whales.
Implementation of this plan is unlikely to have negative impacts on any other native species or ecological communities.
Duration and cost of the recovery process
It is anticipated that the recovery process will take longer than the life of the plan (2005-2010), which should be reviewed after five years. A recovery plan should remain in place until such time that the populations of blue, fin and sei whales utilising Australian waters have improved to the point that the populations are considered secure.
The cost of this plan will be met through various direct and indirect funding activities undertaken by the Australian Government, State and Territory governments, researchers, conservation groups, marine based industries and the Australian public. Costing of specific actions will be determined at the time of activity.
Role and interests of Indigenous people
Many marine mammal species have cultural significance to Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander people. Recognising this cultural connection to whales is important. No record has been found of whale hunting before the arrival of Europeans, although it is likely that some use was made of whales that washed ashore. Indigenous people must be considered if plans for development or use of an area are expected to impact upon indigenous ownership or native title interests. Agreements between government and Indigenous people are essential and serve to increase the involvement of all parties with a stake in the welfare and recovery of whales.
Social and economic impacts
It is not anticipated that this plan will have significant economic and/or social impacts in the short or long-term.
Organisations/persons involved in evaluating the performance of the plan
The Threatened Species Scientific Committee (TSSC) with the assistance of relevant scientists, managers and other stakeholders should evaluate the performance of this plan and report the results of their review to the Minister for the Environment and Heritage.
Affected interests
Organisations likely to be affected by the actions proposed in this plan include the following:
Australian Government:Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander CommissionAustralian Fisheries Management AuthorityAustralian Maritime Safety AuthorityDepartment of Agriculture, Fishing and ForestryDepartment of DefenceDepartment of Foreign Affairs and TradeDepartment of Industry, Tourism and ResourcesDepartment of the Environment and HeritageGreat Barrier Reef Marine Park AuthorityIndigenous Land CorporationIndustry and Non-Government Organisations:Commercial fishers and associationsCommercial shippingConservation groupsEnergy distribution networksIndigenous Land Councils and communitiesLocal communitiesNature-based tourism industryOil and gas exploration and production industryRecreational fishers and associationsUniversities and other research organisationsWhale-watching industry and associations
State/Territory Governments:Department of Conservation and Land Management, WADepartment of Environment and Heritage, SADepartment of Primary Industries, Water and Environment, TASDepartment of Primary Industry, QLDDepartment of Sustainability and Environment, VICEnvironment Protection Agency, QLDFisheries agenciesMuseumsNational Parks and Wildlife Service, NSWParks and Wildlife Commission, NTParks VictoriaShipping, oil and gas exploration and development agencies