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/ Tauchkreuzfahrten
/ Australien
/ Undersea
Explorer
MINKWHALE
RESEARCH
In
1995 Undersea Explorer contacted Dr Peter Arnold, Museum
of Tropical Queensland regarding the development of a collaborative
Dwarf Minke Whale research project. With the invaluable
guidance of Dr Alistair Birtles, James Cook Uni, the project
was formed. Since then Undersea Explorer has facilitated
hundreds of hours of in-water and surface observations of
Dwarf Minke Whales - resulting in detailed movement, behaviour
and size estimation records of the whales.
Photographer
John Rumney
We
also obtained the first recorded vocalisation of this species,
which has assisted in accoustic tracking of the minkes.
During the expeditions, individual whales are identified
by colour patterns on the body, scars and other unique features,
and resightings of known animals have occurred from days
apart to two years later. A CD Rom and Minke Whale information
package has now been produced for use by other tourism dive
operations which encounter Minke Whales.
On
these excursions you get to see these magnificent mammals
while snorkelling on the surface. Interactions last from
20 minutes to over 6hours! And if you thought you came to
check out the Minke whales, you'll quickly realise, that
it is them checking out you! Absolutely the most fascinating
in water encounter!
Dwarf
minke whales were first recognised as a distinct form in
the mid 1980s and there is still little known about them.
They attracted attention in northern Great Barrier Reef
waters because they regularly approached close to boats
and swimmers.
While
many countries have banned programs where visitors can swim
with whales, a swim with whales industry has developed in
waters of the northern Great Barrier Reef based on the voluntary
approaches of dwarf minke whales.
To ensure the encounters have a minimal impact on the whales,
research is being focused on learning more about the dwarf
minke whales and their interactions with swimmers.
A
lack of knowledge about basic aspects of the biology and
behaviour of these inquisitive visitors to the Great Barrier
Reef presents many unique challenges for marine park managers,
dive industry operators and their clients as well as researchers.
The interactions between humans and whales must be managed
so that they are ecologically sustainable
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