Towards ecologically sustainable dwarf minke whale tourism (B2.8)

Task leader: Dr Alastair Birtles, James Cook University.

Task associate: Mr Stan Kielbaska, Mike Ball Dive Expeditions.

The little known dwarf minke whale (Balaenoptera acutorostrata) was only discovered in Great Barrier Reef (GBR) waters during the 1980s, and research into its biology and ecology has only recently begun. During the 1990s live-aboard dive tour operators in the Cairns section of the GBR began reporting in-water interactions with these whales along the Ribbon Reefs during the winter months.

Alastair Birtles (James Cook University) and Peter Arnold (Museum of Tropical Queensland) have been studying the biology and behaviour of these whales since 1996. At the same time, the dynamics of the interactions between the whales and dive tourists have been studied to develop a framework for managing these interactions in an ecologically sustainable manner. During the 1999 and 2000 seasons, around 200 whales were individually identified using the unique patterns on each whale's body and the prototype Portable Digital Photo-Identification Catalogue (PODPIC), developed by Arnold and Birtles. The use of PODPIC contributed to the first between season re-sightings of three whales during the 2000 season.

A Code of Practice for swimming with whales was developed and tested with extensive input from dive operators and their passengers. Interpretative material for the industry was also developed and tested over the two-year period.

Much remains unknown about these whales and of the long-term impacts of their human encounters. However, this project will continue to monitor potential impacts on the whales while furthering research into their biology and behaviour.

For more information about minke whales click here.