BDBSA Project Metadata Detail

Survey/Project Number: 1025          Total No. of Sites: 1
Survey/Project Name: Southern Right Whale aerial monitoring
Abstract: The aim of this project is to provide an absolute count of the number of Southern Right Whale (Eubalaena australis) present in the Great Australian Bight Marine Park, South Australia. METHODOLOGY: 1. The count will occur at three points during the aggregation/calving season, to obtain photo-ID of all individuals to allow mark-recapture estimates of abundance. 2. All photo-IDs will be processed and uploaded to the Australian Right Whale Photo-Identification Catalogue (https://data.marinemammals.gov.au/arwpic/). 3. All individuals and groups will be georeferenced, providing data on the temporal distribution of individuals and different classes throughout the aggregation-calving season.
 
Start Date: 14/07/2014      End Date: 30/10/2016
Survey Type: Fauna only
   
Study Area Description: Far West Coast Marine Park
Objectives
         Vegetation: *** No vegetation survey objectives recorded
         Fauna: Refer to Abstract.
Methodology
         Vegetation: *** No vegetation methodology recorded
         Fauna: Three helicopter based aerial surveys will be conducted during the 2015 breeding/ aggregation season, one in July, August and September. Aerial survey protocol will follow the methodology used in Mackay and Goldsworthy (2014). The aim of these surveys will be to provide accurate counts, geographic location, and where possible, photo IDs of all SRW in the study area. During search and count phase of the survey the helicopter will fly at an altitude of no lower than 300 meters (of height specified by permit). To obtain an accurate photo-ID, the helicopter will descend to a flying altitude of a minimum of 200m (of height specified by permit). Once a photo-ID has been obtained the helicopter will immediately return to the 'search and count' flying altitude. In addition, in order to minimise any disturbance of the animals, behavioural responses of individual or groups of whales to the helicopter will be assessed in real-time by qualified and experienced marine mammal scientists aboard the helicopter. Any photo-ID approach (i.e. reduction of flying altitude to a minimum specified height) will be immediately halted if animals show any sign of disturbance or change of behaviour, even if this results in not being able to obtain a photo-ID of all counted whales.

Data Distribution Rules: Public Dataset
Project Basis: Fauna : EPBC/NPWSA Threatened species targeted survey. Flora or fauna species.
Fauna : Fauna species/population Study (ie trapping records over time period for species study). NOTE:NON Std Svy methodology may have been used.
Information Authority: Department for Environment and Heritage (BDBSA:West) - Pt Lincoln Office
Department for Environment and Heritage - Coast and Marine Branch