App to protect migrating whales
Western Australian boaties, commercial operators and shipping are encouraged to report migrating humpback whales and other marine animals through the State Government’s revamped Marine Fauna Sightings app. The data collected will provide fisheries researchers with a better understanding of the timing of humpback whale migration and how it may change each year. This supports implementation of strategies to minimise the risk of entanglements in fishing gear during whale migration along the WA coast.
The easy-to-use app has been expanded to include reporting of other marine life including turtles, dolphins, dugongs and sea snakes.
While the app supports avoiding entanglements, it is important that any actual whale entanglements are reported to the Wildcare Helpline on 9474 9055 as soon as possible, rather than the Marine Fauna Sightings App.
“The humpback whale migration is starting to get underway, so it is the perfect opportunity for people out on the water to report what they see on the Marine Fauna Sightings app,” said Environment Minister Matthew Swinbourn.
“Data collected through the app will also be used to support other citizen science programs including Dolphin Watch and the Right Whale Tracker project along the south coast.”
The app can be downloaded from the Apple or Google Play stores or by visiting the DPIRD website.
