I aim to determine the potential ecological impact of whale-watching on southern right whales (Eubalaena australis) mother-calf pairs off Australia, which has not yet been assessed in Australian waters despite regulatory bodies permitting whale-watching activities. I use unmanned aerial vehicles to collect detailed behavioural focal follows of the whales to examine the behaviour of the whale before, during and after a whale-watching vessel approach. Southern right whales are listed as endangered in South Australian waters, therefore this information is directly useful for the governmental agency which permits vessel approaches from commercial tourism operators.
Recent papers:
- Azizeh, TR, Sprogis, KR, Soley, R, Nielsen, MLK, Uhart, MM, Sironi, M, Marón, CF, Bejder, L, Madsen, PT, Christiansen, F. 2021. Acute and chronic behavioral effects of kelp gull micropredation on southern right whales. Marine Ecology Progress Series. doi: https://doi.org/10.3354/meps13716.
- Ejrnæs, D and Sprogis, KR. 2021. Ontogenetic changes in energy expenditure and resting behaviour of humpback whale mother-calf pairs on a breeding ground studied using unmanned aerial vehicles. Wildlife Research. doi: https://doi.org/10.1071/WR20186.
Contact information
Kate Sprogis
Marie Skłodowska-Curie Fellow
Marine Bioacoustics Lab, Aarhus University
kate.sprogis@bio.au.dk | Kate Sprogis Photography
@KateSprogis
marinebioacoustics.wordpress.com 