Whale and Dolphin Conservation
The national whale and dolphin sighting programme aims to improve our knowledge on the distribution and abundance of whales and dolphins in Australian waters including the identification of important habitat areas, migration paths and seasonal occurrences.
Under the programme the Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts requires organisations and individuals undertaking approved or permitted activities in the marine environment, such as oil and gas companies and research scientists, to provide records of whales and dolphin sightings. Many other marine users including the Australian Customs Service, Coastwatch, the Royal Australian Navy and whale watching operators also supply observations to the Department. These observations are recorded in the National Whale and Dolphin Sightings and Strandings database.
The National Whale and Dolphin Sightings and Strandings database records reported sightings of whales and dolphins in Australian waters and maintains details of stranding events around the Australian coastline. Information in the database is used by marine users in planning and designing their activities and also aids in the environmental assessment of marine based activities by DEH. Information on stranding events is provided by state and territory governments and is available to assist researchers determine the causes of these events. Search the database
The Department appreciates assistance from the general public and marine industry personnel in reporting sightings of whales and dolphins around Australia. The sightings reports provide important information for the conservation and management of these animals.
You can report your sighting through the whale or dolphin sighting online form.
Australia is fortunate to have a number of great whale and dolphin watching sights. Many of these sights are land-based, as in some areas, whales (such as the Humpback and Southern Right) and dolphins come within meters of the coastline. Land-based whale and dolphin watching is an inexpensive way of seeing these magnificent animals in their natural environments.