HELP PROTECT A WHALE NURSERY

Endangered Southern Right Whales in South Australia face threats from human disturbance and they need your help!

Research funds are needed to study impacts to the whales from underwater noise and vessel traffic inside their nursery ground at Encounter Bay this whale season (May - Nov).

The underwater noise from approved construction of the Granite Island Causeway is likely to impact the behaviour of the whales in their critical habitat. There is a short window of opportunity to act during this unprecedented time.

We need the science and a robust scientific study to document the impacts to inform adaptive management and policy decisions, and demonstrate the importance of marine protected areas.

The science objectives are to:

• Assess the whale numbers, location and behaviour in the presence and absence of human activities
• Monitor human activities and record underwater noise
• Promote conservation management and protection for the whales through recommending management solutions

Whale and Dolphin Conservation Australasia are helping facilitate this funding for the scientific and citizen science group Encounter Bay Right Whale Study and collaborators from Curtin and Flinders Universities. We are also grateful for the assistance of the Department for Environment and Water.

All donations small or large will go a long way.

Thank you!