Kimberley humpback whales: our international responsibility!

Every winter the shallow warm seas from south of Broome to the Bonaparte Archipelago become a nursery for the largest population of Humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) in the world.

Kimberley Humback Whales
The Kimberley Humpback whale population is one of the few in the world recovering well (increasing at 10% per year) from the brink of extinction around the early 1960s.  Australia ceased killing Humpbacks in 1963 and they were protected worldwide in 1965.  At the time of their protection the Kimberley Humpback population had been decimated to around 500 individuals.

Kimberley whale sightings map by Richard Costin. Click to enlarge.

The combined protection from whaling and our pristine healthy seas helped our Kimberley Humpback population regrow.  Numbering nearly 20,000, Kimberley Humpbacks are now the largest humpback whale population in the world but numbers are still well below pre-whaling days.

Nationally and Internationally Significant
The calving grounds of the Kimberley Humpback whales are important nationally and internationally and deserve real protection.  Researchers are only just beginning to understand the size and extent of the calving grounds.  In October 2009 a whale survey counted nearly double the number of whales off James Price Point just north of Broome, compared to Camden Sound (18 and 10 whales per hour respectively).

Legally, the Australian government protects Kimberley Humpbacks as the species is listed as ‘vulnerable to extinction’ under the EPBC Act and the Kimberley calving area is defined as ‘habitat critical to their survival’ in the Humpback Whale Recovery Plan (2005 to 2010). 

Situated in state waters, these two areas in the Kimberley Humpback nursery are also in the sights of Premier Barnett.

Whale Sanctuary
Premier Barnett is planning a Whale Sanctuary near Camden Sound to protect the Kimberley Humpbacks but conservationists are concerned that it will be too small and lack complete protection (i.e. have no areas zoned as Sanctuary in the Marine Park).  

Industrial Development
At the other site, James Price Point, Mr Barnett has much more malignant plans to build a large industrial port and gas processing site that will threaten the survival of the Kimberley Humpbacks.

The construction and maintenance of the port, gas pipes and a huge breakwater, as well as greatly increased shipping traffic within a whale nursery area will impact the survival and health of both the calves and their mothers, as:

• Calves are vulnerable to ship strikes - surfacing more often to breathe and being less competent swimmers.
• Dredging, construction, operation and maintenance creates environmental pollution. 
• Industrial noise is a serious environmental hazard. 
• The 7km breakwater will create another obstacle in their calving area. 

All of this maritime infrastructure and industrial activity must be avoided by whales, thereby disrupting the migratory routes of pregnant mothers and placing new-borns in additional danger at a time when they are most vulnerable. 

The Australian Government supports an end to all commercial and scientific whaling and is focused on stopping Japan’s scientific whaling.  However the real proof of our government’s commitment to the whales and the Kimberley marine environment will be in their decision over James Price Point.

Other Alternatives
There are other viable alternatives for processing the gas.  Protecting the Kimberley Whale nursery in its entirety will not only protect a natural national treasure but will pave the way for Australia to be a leading voice in global whale conservation.

The Wilderness Society is calling on the State and Commonwealth Governments to immediately rule out oil and gas development on the Kimberley coast and establish large marine sanctuary zones to protect the globally significant marine biodiversity in this region.  These decisions would allow our Kimberley Humpback whales to thrive and provide a major economic boost to the region through whale watching and associated activities.  

Take action today!

Help fund this ad to Save the Kimberley >>