Humpback whales may be doing more than just passing through Bass Strait, according to new research released by the Dolphin Research Institute (DRI).
A just-published white paper titled More Than a Migratory Corridor draws on nearly two decades of whale sightings and behavioural data, revealing that Bass Strait could be an important feeding and calving ground — not just a migratory route as previously thought.
The findings are the result of a wide-ranging collaboration between the Dolphin Research Institute, Fathom Pacific, Wildlife Coast Cruises, and ConocoPhillips Australia, with support from dedicated citizen scientists across the region.
“Until now, we’ve always seen Bass Strait as a kind of marine highway for migrating humpbacks,” the Institute said. “But the data shows they’re doing more here — they’re staying longer, feeding, and possibly even calving.”
The behaviours, observed between 2006 and 2024, suggest the strait may be playing a far more critical role in the whales’ life cycle than previously documented. This could have major implications for environmental planning, especially as new offshore developments are considered.
The report’s release comes as pressure grows on governments and industry to ensure the unique marine environment is considered in future decision-making.
The Institute is calling for the findings to be integrated into environmental assessments and marine planning processes, and is making the full report publicly available in the hope of encouraging further research and protection of the region.
“This isn’t just about whales — it’s about understanding and respecting the ecosystems right on our doorstep,” the Institute said.
The white paper is available now on the Dolphin Research Institute website.
Is there evidence linking whale deaths to wind turbines?
There is no evidence to back Mr Trump’s suggestion that offshore wind turbines are killing whales.
NOAA officials carried out post-mortem examinations on about 90 humpback whales found dead since 2016.
Forty per cent of those deaths were linked to human interaction – whales becoming entangled in fishing nets, or being struck by vessels travelling through their feeding grounds.
In the remaining cases investigated by NOAA, other factors were listed as possible causes of death, including parasite-caused organ damage or starvation.
In some cases, the advanced stage of decomposition of the carcasses meant it was impossible to conclusively determine the cause of death.
“We know what the main threats are to humpback whales: it’s very much the impact from things like fishing and ship strikes,” says Rob Deaville from the Zoological Society of London’s Cetacean Strandings Investigation Programme.
“To talk about wind farms being a problem takes away discussion around the very real threats that are a problem for those species.”