InternationalThe Southern Cross University Whale Research Centre is affiliated with the South Pacific Whale Research Consortium*. Several SCUWRC researchers are members of the SPWRC and have been involved in various South Pacific Research Projects. The Consortium consists of researchers currently undertaking work on cetaceans in Tonga, Cook Islands, French Polynesia, New Caledonia, Samoa, Fiji and Eastern Australia. The Consortium's aim is to undertake collaborative research into the status of cetaceans in the South Pacific region. National The Southern Cross University Whale Research Centre is affiliated with The Oceania Project*, a non-profit NGO established in 1988, which is dedicated to raising awareness about Cetacea through research and education programs. Since 1989 The Oceania Project has been undertaking an Annual Whale Research Expedition in Hervey Bay, Queensland. In 1992 The Oceania Project instigated, in conjunction with the Queensland Environment Protection Agency, a long term Photo ID survey to study the ecology and behaviour of the humpbacks that visit Hervey Bay during August, September and October each year.
A collaboration was formed with Southern Cross University and the Centre in 2000 to integrate Genetic analysis and Photo ID techniques for the ongoing study of humpbacks in Hervey Bay. The Principal Investigators for The Oceania Project Trish Franklin and Wally Franklin are now PhD Candidates at SCU and have formed working relationships and collaborations with other Centre Team members Megan Anderson and Daniel Burns. The Oceania Project provides work experience opportunities for Marine Mammal Science Graduates aboard the Whale Research Expedition and offers an Internship program for field research experience for Australian and International under-graduate, graduate and post graduate students. The Centre is also affiliated with the National Marine Science Centre* located at Coffs Harbour, NSW, which is a joint venture between Southern Cross University and the University of New England.  Left: Daniel Burns using a Van Dorn sampler to obtain a water sample for Chlorophyll A testing in Hervey Bay. Daniel worked for 10 weeks as Expedition Assistant aboard The Oceania Project's Whale Research Expedition in 2001. Photo Credit: Daniel Bayer 2003
 Right: Trish Franklin reviews humpback resight data aboard 'Moon Dancer' in Hervey Bay in 2001 with Expedition Assistant Daniel Burns and Interns Kathrin Schreier from Austria, Pixie Stevens from Brisbane and SCU Environmental Science under-graduate Olive Andrews. Photo Credit: Daniel Bayer 2003
Updated: 10 March 2009 |
