Technology breakthrough expected to make whale migration safer

Saturday, 9 June 2018 12:20

Western Australian government scientists have partnered with marine wildlife experts to develop a new whale rescue tool that tracks the real-time location of whales entangled in fishing gear.

10 trackable buoys have been strategically placed along the WA coast from Esperance to Broome, including 3 in waters off Perth.

The tool will allow responders from the Parks and Wildlife Service to remotely monitor the whale before safely attempting a disentanglement.

We've partnered with marine wildlife experts to develop new satellite buoys that track the real-time location of #whales entangled in fishing gear, with 10 buoys provided to specialist teams between #Esperance and #Broome >>https://t.co/smhjgcmyV8 @wa_rocklobster @WAParksWildlife pic.twitter.com/g1cTGZChzd
— Fisheries WA (@FisheriesWA) June 8, 2018

Environment Minister Stephen Dawson said, "About 35,000 whales are currently migrating from Antarctic waters to calving areas in the Kimberley. Previously, it was extremely difficult to find an entangled whale off the WA coast once it was lost from sight."

With the new technology in place, responders from the Parks and Wildlife Service will be able to carry out disentanglements in safe weather conditions with sufficient daylight reducing risk.

"During their migration, whales travel through a number of commercial and recreational fisheries, occasionally becoming entangled in fishing gear," said Fisheries Minister Dave Kelly.

"While whale disentanglements from lobster fishing gear have steadily decreased from 17 in 2013 to six in 2017 due to gear modification, it is pleasing to see that the rock lobster industry is showing its commitment to protecting whales further by funding these buoys."