Science supports marine mammal conservation

Leading whale and dolphin researchers from throughout Australia and New Zealand have converged on Bryon Bay this week for a workshop hosted by Southern Cross University’s Whale Research Centre.

The workshop, supported by the Australian Marine Mammal Centre, is looking at the latest statistical techniques for use in estimating the size of populations of marine mammals, including whales and dolphins, and other information necessary for their ongoing conservation and protection.

Dr Lyndon Brooks, who is organising the workshop, has worked closely with the SCU Whale Research Centre during the past five years and has made a special study of capture-recapture analysis.

“This workshop has attracted researchers from Australia and New Zealand who are interested in the marine mammal populations of the Indo-Pacific region,” he said.

“Researchers like going out on boats to study these animals, but to efficiently manage them we need to understand their birth rates and populations sizes, and where they are moving to and from. To do that, we need efficient and accurate population estimates and that is where the statisticians come in.”

Dr Brooks said Southern Cross University’s Whale Research Centre had developed particular expertise in mathematical models applied to photographic databases of individual whales.

A guest presenter at the workshop will be Ken Pollock, a Professor of Zoology, Biomathematics and Statistics from North Carolina State University.

Professor Peter Harrison, director of the Southern Cross University Whale Research Centre, said the workshop was a great opportunity for Australian and international marine mammal researchers to gain new insights into advanced research techniques that would enable them to make better use of their extensive research information.

“This workshop will also provide researchers with new skills that will improve the design of future research programs to more effectively manage whales, dolphins, dugongs and other marine mammals in Australian and international regions in future,” Professor Harrison said.

“The Southern Cross University Whale Research Centre is taking a leading role in improving research outcomes to provide better management of whales and dolphins, and this workshop provides an excellent opportunity for researchers from throughout Australia and overseas to share their expertise and develop new research partnerships.”

Photo: Researchers from the Southern Cross University Whale Research Centre have developed extensive photographic databases of humpback whales.