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2009 Grant funded projectsDr Janet M Lanyon & A/Prof Janet Patterson-Kane Dugong populations are declining along the urban Australian coastlines and can only sustain low levels of mortality. To initiate protection policies, major threats including human-associated and natural disease must be clearly defined. At present, the health status of these populations is uncertain, and most mortalities remain undiagnosed.
The broad aim is to investigate the population genetic structure of blue whales in Australia and surrounding regions.
This project will investigate population size of blue whales in Australian waters based on genetic and photo-ID data from Australian aggregation areas. Recent genetic data, supported by limited photo-ID data, indicate that whales that aggregate in Perth Canyon (WA) and Bonney Upwelling (SA and VIC) are part of the same genetic population (Moller et al., 2007; Jenner et al., 2008; Attard et al., in review;) and therefore a combined estimation of population size is required. The subspecific identity and relationship of Geographe Bay whales to this putative population is currently being assessed genetically. We will use high resolution genetic data to identify individuals, their population of origin and subspecific status.
Powerful data derived from multiple DNA markers will be used to elucidate population genetic structure of Australian sperm whales. Results will be incorporated into a global analysis of population structure carried out by the ‘Cachalote Consortium’, which at present has scarce information from Southern Hemisphere sperm whales. The research will fill up sampling gaps and generate invaluable data for determining the conservation status of sperm whale stocks and for providing information for delineating management units for this vulnerable species.
The range and impact of diseases is a key knowledge gap and research priority for threatened N. cinerea populations (McKenzie et al. 2005). Preliminary data (Gray, unpubl.) suggests that, as in some other otariids, hookworm is an important cause of pup mortality in N. cinerea. This project will: i) determine the prevalence of hookworm infection and associated mortality in N. cinerea; ii) investigate factors predisposing to infection and mortality; iii) investigate the role of hookworm associated mortality in N. cinerea; ii) investigate factors predisposing to infection and mortality; iii) investigate the role of hookworm associated mortality as a forcing factor of population demography, specifically the contribution of hookworm to
Between 150 and 350 bottlenose dolphins have been caught in the Pilbara Trawl Fishery since late 2003. Little data on dolphin stock identity or abundance exists and whether recent declines in dolphin catch reflect better bycatch reduction devices or a declining dolphin population remains unknown. To assess the level of impact that dolphin bycatch is having on this undetermined stock, we will: identify population genetic structure across fishery-impacted areas; conduct photo-identification to determine the number of dolphins interacting with trawlers; and, carry out an aerial survey to estimate dolphin abundance. The research has national application in reducing negative delphinid-fisheries interactions.
The project will utilise three existing datasets from an aerial survey undertaken in 1999, and combined aerial-land surveys in 2005 and 2008, on northward-migrating humpback whales off the coast of western australia. The data from these three surveys have already been analysed, but the results are somewhat inconclusive, with differences in methodology and analytical assumptions making valid comparisons difficult. This project will revisit the datasets from all three years, and attempt a more streamlined analysis that will estimate abundance in a consistent manner. A significant outcome of the project will be recommendations (together with some logistical details) on how and where any future surveys of this Breeding Stock should be undertaken.
East Australian humpback whales were hunted to near-extinction in the early 1960s. Since the early 1980s land-based abundance surveys have been conducted at Point Lookout off Brisbane where most of the whales pass close to land. The last survey was performed in 2007 and in order to continue monitoring the recovery of this population, we propose conducting another survey in 2010.
We have recently completed the largest scale genetic diversity assessment to date of the dugong, demonstrating the profound effects of glacial cycles on the genetic structure of Australian animals and that there may be some barriers to uniform gene-flow in Australian waters. Urgent questions remain as to the nature and locations of any such barriers, prompting this proposal for additional, targeted sampling and further genetic analysis. Resolution of these questions has implications for both management and scientific understanding. The history and distinctive nature of Australian dugong populations will be placed in context by analysis of additional samples from other countries.
Torres Strait supports the world’s largest dugong population. Local information and modelling suggest that this population is over-harvested. Comparison of spatial models of dugong hunting and relative dugong density indicates that spatial management has considerable potential as a tool to manage the Indigenous harvest. Management plans were developed by 8 Torres Strait communities in 2008. The development of spatial management for dugong in Torres Strait is challenging because little is known about the spatial ecology of dugong there. This project will inform community-based management of dugongs by involving Islanders in satellite tracking to quantify dugong movements and habitat use
Little is known of beaked whale distributions in Australian waters. We aim to develop a habitat map of an offshore area of the Coral Sea by correlating acoustic detections of beaked whales with environmental variables such as sea floor and oceanographic properties. This would be a first step in development of general prediction methods for their distributions. It will use data from two surveys of the area (surveys and analysis funded separately). Tens of thousands of beaked whale click sounds have been detected so far in analysis of the first survey compared with 12 visual detections for the whole survey.
Seal Bay Conservation Park (Kangaroo Island), one of the largest populations of the threatened Australian sea lion (ASL), underpins an important regional tourism industry and has been in decline for more than 20 years. A demographic monitoring program has been in place since the 1990’s, 12 pup cohorts have been marked with internal RFID tags and their survival monitored via automated and manual resight systems. This project will assess and compare inter-seasonal variation in cohort survival and recruitment, develop demographic models for the population, investigate the cause(s) of population decline, and advise on management needs for the population, sustainable tourism, and an ongoing population monitoring program.
The outer boundaries of South Australia’s Marine Parks have recently been declared, but the identification and declaration of habitat protection and sanctuary zones by SA DEH will occur over the next three years. Presently, metrics being used to determine the location and scale of these zones are largely anthropocentric. This project aims to identify critical foraging habitats of the threatened Australian sea lion (ASL) and determine how best to incorporate these into the marine planning process and address the question: “Can ASL foraging behaviour be used to assess habitat quality and inform the zoning of marine parks in SA?”
Recent advances in survey methods for determining pup production of the threatened Australian sea lion have substantially improved the accuracy, precision and repeatability of surveys. These advances are significant because managing for the recovery of this threatened species will need to be underpinned by an ability to detect changes in the status of populations over the shortest possible time-periods. A workshop to facilitate the development of a National Australian sea lion monitoring program is proposed to take place during 2009. Until such a program is developed, it is important to maintain surveys at key representative colonies identified in previous AMMC reports.
This project aims to complete the fine-scale examination of Australian sea lion (ASL) population structuring outlined in AMMC Project 0708/26 and Project 0809/27 by performing the first comprehensive fine-scale mitochondrial DNA and microsatellite analysis on samples representing at least every major ASL breeding colony in South Australia and potentially for the species. We intend delineating biologically meaningful population management units based on contemporary genetic data for over 80% of the species to assess metapopulation structure. We also anticipate deriving the first estimate of effective population size for the species, an important parameter for assessing extinction risk.
Marine mammal movement data is primarily available from animal-borne telemetry systems as infrequent, unpredictable locations of various accuracy on the Earth’s surface. Additional rich and precise information about depth in the water column can be obtained with animal-borne data loggers. Determining where an animal might go in the periods between known locations is called interpolation and requires sophisticated, mathematically based computational techniques and software. This project will deliver a software application called Track that will enable researchers to more easily and accurately predict marine mammal movements. Track will also provide a simple to use database system for the management and storage of large quantities of movement data.
The project will continue a long-term photo-identification and breeding site census data set from which information has been accruing annually, at Head of Bight, South Australia over 18 years,
There are two parts to this project:
Southern right whales (Eubalaena australis) are currently listed as endangered and the national recovery plan for this species lists the identification of critical
Dr Leigh Torres We will develop habitat models of southern right and sperm whales within Australasia based on 19th century whaling records of whale presence and absence. Our models will be spatially and temporally explicit over large scales, and therefore capable of reliable predictions of modern-day habitat use patterns to be assessed relative to anthropogenic threats and long-term climate variability. Effective management of whale populations requires accurate knowledge of distribution patterns associated with environmental, temporal, and threat variability. Our results will inform policy development of the dynamic distribution patterns of southern right and sperm whales to improve the conservation of these protected species.
Indications from sightings and photo-identification data collected in Victoria since 1985 are that Southern Right Whales are not increasing in number (pers. comm. M.Watson, DSE) in SE Australia. In addition genetic studies using mtDNA markers have found that significant differentiation exists between the remnant south east coast population (in particular Warrnambool calving grounds) and animals from Western Australia and New Zealand (Patenaude and Harcourt 2006). When compared with HOB and WA, the species in this region is therefore more vulnerable, and is also poorly understood and likely to be more heavily impacted by anthropogenic threats.
Ms Margie Morrice, Mr Curt Jenner & Dr Peter Gill The Blue Whale research community in Australia has achieved a number of significant research outcomes and collaborations nationally and worldwide, and requires an opportunity to make joint decisions and collaborative taks. The workshop will address: planning the Sub-tropical convergence (STC) Large Whale Research Sureys; development of short-to-medium term research priorities and collaborations; and trial photo-ID matching within the Southern Hemisphere Blue Whale Catalogue (SHBWC -Australasian Node.
Dr Lars Bejder, Dr Guido J. Parra, Professor Philip S. Hammond & Dr Ana Canadas Delivery of two five-day workshop on issues in, and methods for, studying marine mammal habitat use and abundance using spatial modelling of survey data. Applications include predicting species distributions, projecting potential environmental impacts, and supporting marine reserve planning. The workshops will comprise lectures (including presentation of case studies), demonstrations, and practical work especially data processing and analysis. The focus will be on practical hands-on application, and on understanding the problems that arise in real studies. The final day of the workshop will be dedicated to discussion of issues arising and consultation on design and analysis for specific project data. |
 
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