ObjectivesObjectives

Objectives

The objectives are:

• the recovery of populations of humpback whales utilising Australian waters so that the species can be considered secure in the wild;
• a distribution of humpback whales utilising Australian waters that is similar to the pre‑exploitation distribution of the species; and
• to maintain the protection of humpback whales from human threats.

For the purposes of this plan ‘secure in the wild’ is defined qualitatively, recognising that stricter definitions are not yet available, but will be refined and where possible quantified during the life of this plan by work currently underway and identified in the actions of this plan.

‘Secure in the wild’ with respect to humpback whales in Australian waters means: a population with sufficient geographic range and distribution, abundance, and genetic diversity to provide a stable population over long time scales.