CRC REEF RESEARCH CENTRE TECHNICAL REPORT No.27

Towards Sustainable Management Of The Developing Dwarf Minke Whale Tourism Industry In Northern Queensland.

P.W. Arnold, Museum of Tropical Queensland
R.A. Birtles, James Cook University

FOREWORD

Though generally larger than other marine animals, little is known of most cetaceans (whales and dolphins) in the waters of the world. Some species have only recently been described, and the biology and behaviour of others that are relatively common remains poorly known. Of about 80 species described so far in the world, some 43 occur in Australian waters and over 30 within the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park (GBRMP).

Regrettably, to date there have been few studies of cetaceans in GBRMP waters and park managers have relied for information mainly upon analyses of stranded or dead animals and occasional observations of live animals at sea. A notable exception has been the humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) and now, through studies by Peter Arnold and Alastair Birtles and co-workers, our knowledge of the dwarf minke whale (Balaenoptera acutorostrata) is also increasing.

Surprisingly for a large animal, the dwarf minke whale was not described until 1985 and its taxonomic status remains unresolved. However, the close approach of the minkes to vessels and swimmers in northern Great Barrier Reef waters has provided a unique experience for tourists, a research opportunity for scientists and a challenge for park managers. Such apparently inquisitive behaviour has provided an unparalleled opportunity to document features of the populations, vocalisations and behaviour. Peter Arnold and Alastair Birtles, with marvellous cooperation from certain tourist operators, have been instrumental in initiating the research which is slowly increasing our understanding of the minkes on the Reef. Park managers recognise and appreciate the important contribution of the research to both increasing our knowledge of the dwarf minkes and to developing appropriate management strategies in relation to them.

Arising from the research, Peter and Alastair have proposed a useful code of practice to govern human interactions with the minkes. It is important that the code is followed by vessel operators, swimmers and divers to ensure that people do not adversely affect the whales.

I was privileged to join Peter and Alastair and the team on Undersea Explorer for one of their dwarf minke research trips and it is certainly a marvellous experience. I commend all those involved with the research program. The results are proving to be most useful for planning and managing human interactions with the dwarf minkes on the Reef and will be incorporated into the Whale and dolphin conservation policy for the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park (see draft at web site: http://www.gbrmpa.gov.au/information/publications/dwp/).

Tony Stokes
Manager, Conservation Policy
Conservation, Biodiversity and World Heritage Group
Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Repeated close encounters with dwarf minke whales Balaenoptera acutorostrata sensu lato provide opportunities to:

1. Observe minke whales at low latitude sites, which are potential breeding/nursery areas. Information is extremely limited for any population of minke whale at low latitudes.

2. Observe behaviour and interactions. This information is necessary to interpret reactions to swimmers. No comparable observations have been made on any species of Balaenoptera.

Regular interactions of dwarf minke whales with swimmers also form the basis for a fledgling industry on the northern Great Barrier Reef, which requires management.

In this paper, we outline the development and extent of the industry, review Australian legislation and available Codes of Practice, and present initial observations based on the 1996 & 1997 field seasons. Given the unusual, if not unique, attributes of the minke whale-swimmer interactions, existing Codes of Practice are of limited relevance. We propose guidelines, based on our field experience.

This paper was submitted to the Whale-watching Sub-committee of the International Whaling Commission Scientific Committee at its meeting in Oman in April 1998. It was also made available to Environment Australia, which is revising existing federal Whale-watching regulations and to the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority which is developing a Conservation Policy for Cetaceans. Except for minor corrections, this version is as submitted to those agencies in early 1998. We hope that its wider distribution as a CRC document, particularly to charter operators working in the northern Great Barrier Reef, will promote industry feedback. Such input is essential if the guidelines are to be effective as an industry standard.

Main points are:

1. Approaches of dwarf minke whales to boats and swimmers were first documented in the early 1980's.

2. Between 1991 - 1995 there were regular but opportunistic encounters with whales, primarily from live-aboard charter vessels operating along the Ribbon Reefs between Port Douglas and Lizard Island.

3. From 1996, committed whale-watching trips were advertised, offering swim-with-whales programs. The industry is still small, with four boats involved.

4. Observations from Undersea Explorer indicated different group sizes between open water encounters (mean=3, n=17) and reef encounters (mean=1.15, n=13).

5. Observations from Undersea Explorer documented different encounter times between open water (mean=1.8 hours, n=17) and reef (mean=0.5 hour, n=12).

6. All reef encounters were voluntary, based on approaches of the whales to Undersea Explorer while it was anchored.

7. 11/14 open water encounters on Undersea Explorer, when the vessel was stopped and drifting, resulted in approaches by the whales.

8. Our observations generally confirm the voluntary nature of approaches and maintenance of contact, as reported by the dive industry operators in 1991-1995.

9. Under present legislation (Whale Protection Act), management is based heavily on adherence to prescribed approach distances. While voluntary approaches by dwarf minke whales can be incorporated within the present guidelines, additional management strategies are necessary, to reduce potential impacts associated with the closer and more direct approaches required by swim-programs (IWC, 1996).

10. We present a Code of Practice which is based on the our field experience, and experience of operators in the industry. These recognise the features peculiar to the swim program with minke whales.

11. A major feature of the Code is that swimmers hold on to a line run from the vessel. This allows maximum control of swimmer behaviour, ensures that approach distances are under the control of the whale, and minimises disturbance to the whales while maximising the potential for extended contact. We recommend that use of lines be mandatory when the vessel is drifting in open water.

12. Three behaviours (speed-up, veering away, deep dives) appear to be associated with disturbance; we recommend that encounters be terminated if there are repeated instances of such behaviour.

13. Present legislation limits approaches of swimmers to whales, in part based on the risk of injury (to whale or swimmer) from close contact. While recognising that whales are large, powerful and wild animals, we note that there have been no signs of aggression in over 130 in-water encounters.

14. We have insufficient information to rule out the use of scuba when in contact with whales, a practice which is regularly used by at least some commercial operators. However, we do not recommend the use of scuba as it presents problems with monitoring swimmer behaviour, causes safety risks in open water and is not necessary for close and prolonged interactions with whales.

15. We endorse existing legislation on `no wake speed' when near whales. Adherence to the guidelines for vessel manoeuvring is especially important when breaking off a prolonged encounter, which usually involves close approaches by the whales to the vessel.

16. We recommend that permits be required for advertised swim-programs.

17. We recommend that such permits be specific to swim-programs, as distinct from general whale-watching permits covering surface-based activities.

18. We agree with previous recommendations to clearly separate permits for scientific research and commercial whale-watching operations. Greater co-ordination is needed among agencies issuing these permits.

19. Given the close encounters associated with swim-programs and the need to allow the whales to control the interaction, we recommend that only one vessel be in contact with a group of whales at any one time.

20. We do not have enough information to advise on time limits for any individual encounter nor the aggregate time for multiple encounters throughout a day.

21. We discuss further issues associated with safety of swimmers, particularly in open water.

THIS PUBLICATION IS CITED AS:
Arnold, P.W. & Birtles, R.A. (1999)
Towards sustainable management of the developing dwarf minke whale tourism industry In northern Queensland
CRC Reef Research Centre Ltd
Technical Report No. 27
Townsville; CRC Reef Research Centre Ltd, 30 pp.

ISBN 1 876054 22 0

A full copy of this report may be obtained from the author(s), and through the following libraries: