Modeling the movement and spatial distribution of humpback whales in the Nearshore waters of the Kimberley. This project will directly address this need by collating and synthesising all existing data on distribution, abundance and movement patterns of humpback whales and associated environmental data collected across the north-west and in the Kimberley. Using state-of-the-art analytical approaches to characterise and understand the movement behaviour of humpback whales and the environmental context in which they occur. The purpose of this project will be to compile and analyse existing humpback whale survey data and tracking data to understand the distribution, abundance and movement patterns of humpback whales in relation to environmental features. Additionally, identify information gaps and fill them with a targeted field research program and ultimately provide advice for future monitoring and management Existing whale data will be collated and combined into an excel spread sheet. ESRI GIS shapefiles will be created for the spatial modelling component of this project.

This record is derived from DEC Marine Policy Branch Endnote library and spatially referenced SIER Database.

Satellite tags were deployed on 48 east Australian humpback whales (breeding stock E1) in 2008, 2009 and 2010 on their southward migration, northward migration and feeding grounds in order to identify and describe migratory pathways, feeding grounds and possible calving areas. At the time, these movements were not well understood and calving grounds not clearly identified. To the best of our knowledge, this dataset details all long-term tag deployments that have occurred to date on breeding stock E1. Satellite tags were deployed on whales in the following locations: • Eden, southern NSW (Australia), October 2008: whales were tagged off Eden during their southern migration. • Evans Head, northern NSW (Australia), June and July 2009: whales were tagged off Evans Head during their northern migration. • East Antarctica, February 2010: whales were tagged on their feeding grounds within IWC Management Area V. • Sunshine Coast, QLD (Australia), October 2010: whales were tagged off the Sunshine Coast during their southern migration. The various files in the download are: Argos locations generated by tagging of East Australian (breeding stock E1) humpback whale This file contains all Argos locations generated by satellite tags deployed on humpback whales. Deployment details can be found separately (dataset title: 'Summary of satellite tag deployments on breeding stock E1 humpback whales'). Locations were calculated by Argos using a least-squares analysis. Columns are: Argos PTT: The unique satellite tag identification number. GMT: The date and time (dd/mm/yyyy hh:mm) of each Argos location in UTC. Argos location class: The location class retrieved from Argos, Argos diagnostic data. Classes are based on the type of location (Argos Doppler Shift) and the number of messages received during the satellite pass. Location classes in order of decreasing accuracy are 3, 2, 1, 0, A, B and Z (definition from Argos User's Manual V1.6.6, 2016). Longitude: The longitude of the Argos location estimate. Units: decimal degrees, WGS84 reference system. Latitude: The latitude of the Argos location estimate. Units: decimal degrees, WGS84 reference system. Speed-distance-angle filter applied to Argos locations generated by tagging of East Australian (breeding stock E1) humpback whale. This file contains all Argos locations generated by satellite tags deployed on humpback whales. Deployment details can be found separately (dataset title: 'Summary of satellite tag deployments on breeding stock E1 humpback whales'). Locations were calculated by Argos using a least-squares analysis. Additionally, this file contains a column detailing the outcome of the application of the sdafilter - an algorithm based on swimming speed, distance between successive locations, and turning angles to remove unlikely position estimates (speed of 10 ms , spike angles of 15° and 25°, spike lengths of 2500m and 5000m; Freitas et al. 2008). Freitas C, Lydersen C, Fedak M, Kovacs K (2008) A simple new algorithm for filtering marine mammal Argos locations. Marine Mammal Science 24 (2): 315‑325. Columns are: Argos PTT: The unique satellite tag identification number. GMT: The date and time (dd/mm/yyyy hh:mm) of each Argos location in UTC. Argos location class: The location class retrieved from Argos, Argos diagnostic data. Classes are based on the type of location (Argos Doppler Shift) and the number of messages received during the satellite pass. Location classes in order of decreasing accuracy are 3, 2, 1, 0, A, B and Z (definition from Argos User's Manual V1.6.6, 2016). Longitude: The longitude of the Argos location estimate. Units: decimal degrees, WGS84 reference system. Latitude: The latitude of the Argos location estimate. Units: decimal degrees, WGS84 reference system. Argosfilter outcome: The result of the Argos sdafilter - "removed" (location removed by the filter), "not" (location not removed) and "end_location" (location at the end of the track where the algorithm could not be

This project consists of a large-scale genetic study of the Western Australian Humpback (Antarctic Area Group IV). The primary aim of this study is to determine whether humpback whales in Western Australia (Antarctic Area Group IV) comprise distinct genetic subgroups and therefore unique conservation units. The purpose of Muriel's research is to find out as much as possible about the humpback whale in WA in order to manage and protect this very valuable stock by determining which subgroups may be susceptible to impact by human activities.

Management of humpback whales in the waters of the Kimberley is hampered by a lack of integrated approaches to data acquisition and analysis. Extensive aerial and vessel survey and some tagging programs have been conducted over the last decade, predominantly focussed on providing estimates of seasonal abundance and distribution of humpback whales. There has been limited attempt to use these data to quantify the spatial distribution and identify critical habitat across the Kimberley; information that is urgently required to better inform management in an ecosystem that faces challenges of warming environments, massive industrial development and rapid growth of humpback whale populations (Hedley et al. 2009). This project will directly address this need by collating and synthesising all existing data on distribution, abundance and movement patterns of humpback whales and associated environmental data collected across the north-west and in the Kimberley. We will use state-of-the-art analytical approaches to characterise and understand the movement behaviour of humpback whales and the environmental context in which they occur. We will use this synthesis to identify research gaps and where possible to construct predictive models of the present and future use of the Kimberley region by humpback whales. The overarching goal of this project is to develop a better understanding of how humpback whales use the Kimberley including the environmental factors driving this pattern. The spatial and temporal distribution of young calves will be a key focus to better define critical habitat used as calving areas.

Modeled data showing the likely distribution of humpback whales. CRIMS is a legacy dataset of BC coastal resource data that was acquired in a systematic and synoptic manner from 1979 and was intermittently updated throughout the years. Resource information was collected in nine study areas using a peer-reviewed provincial Resource Information Standards Committee consisting of DFO Fishery Officers, First Nations, and other subject matter experts. There are currently no plans to update this legacy data.

Data on the geographical and temporal movements of Humpback Whales in Western Australian Waters.

Study and analysis of Aerial Surveys on the Northern and Southern Routes of Humpback Whale Migration off the Perth Basin, Western Australia.

Four years of independent and shore-based humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) surveys in the remote Kimberley region were collected. Systematic shore-based surveys were undertaken from 2009 to 2012 from the cliff top on the southern part of Pender Bay, Dampier Peninsula, Kimberley region, WA from the Two Moons Whale and Marine Research Base. The humpback whales use Pender Bay for a variety of purposes including calving, breeding, feeding (inferred), resting and staging. This work was undertaken to provide much needed data on the humpback whale populations and behaviours at Pender Bay and its importance as a humpback whale breeding and calving ground. To engage with traditional owners and local community members and promote the sharing of information and knowledge.

Humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) migrate annually along the coast of Western Australia (WA) from their summer Antarctic feeding grounds to warm tropical waters in the Kimberley for breeding. Given the remote nature of the Kimberley marine environment and the very large range of humpback whales across known breeding and resting areas, it can be difficult to gather sufficient data to assess their distribution and to monitor population health. A four year project underway at Two Moons Whale and Marine Research Base at Pender Bay, WA (McKay and Thiele 2008, Blake and Dapson 2011) offered an opportunity to assess the value of using a land based site manned by volunteers as a cost effective means of gathering suitable data. The purpose of this project was to evaluate the data collection methods used at this research station, extend data collection for an additional year and evaluate the 5 year dataset to understand humpback whale use of Pender Bay. Data collection included counts of all humpback whale groups (noting size and presence of calves) observed at 20 minute intervals from a cliff top viewing platform. Additional information was recorded on environmental variables (tide, sea state, weather) and the presence of vessels. These data were evaluated to assess the timing of the migration season, including peak in the number of individuals and the number of calves across the season and the distribution of whales within the Bay and adjacent waters. Overall a total of 3,695 groups of whales (5,521 individuals) were sighted over the 88 days when observations took place throughout the season. Calves were observed in 187 of these groups. While the peak in number of groups with calves occurred in mid August to September, there was a higher proportion of groups with calves early in the season.