Curt Jenner

Curt Jenner and his wife Micheline pioneered Western Australian vessel-based whale research in the early 1990s using photo-identification mark-recapture techniques to estimate the size of the recovering Group IV humpback whale population. They then built a blue water sailing catamaran to explore the northwest Australian coastline. By 1997, they had mapped the extent of what is now known as the Kimberley Calving Grounds for humpback whales and described the migratory paths and resting areas along the WA coast to and from this region. The Kimberley Calving Grounds will soon become a Marine Protected Area and other biologically important sites to this species have been similarly brought to light.

Milestones such as identifying the role of the Perth Canyon as a feeding ground for pygmy blue whales, mapping blue whale migratory paths and documenting the birth of a humpback whale calf are highlights of Curt’s career.

Curt’s extensive skippering experience will be put to good use as the skipper for one of the small research boats as part of the Antarctic Whale Expedition.