Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2013L00289:body:0:p22
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2013L00289
Segment Type: other
Provision Reference: 
Character Range: 68452–71574

over 3000 southern right whales in the 1960s94, which is estimated to have removed more than half the remaining population and substantially delayed the recovery of the population 53, 87. Habitat occupancy contracted substantially as a result of commercial whaling, and current Australian coastal distribution patterns are those of much depleted/remnant populations84. Although southern right whales are tolerant of a wide range of environmental conditions, are highly mobile, are recorded throughout their former known coastal distribution, and can form successful breeding aggregations in a range of habitats, their strong site fidelity and social cues are likely to constrain their capacity to establish regular aggregations in new or previously used locations, even where apparently suitable habitat is available84. So far, the increase in abundance has been reflected principally as an increase in whale numbers in already occupied aggregation areas in the south-west part of the range, although several additional areas are now emerging84 and may become established as known aggregation sites.

In terms of spatial recovery the south-west population is recovering moderately well – three large, well established calving areas exist and there is evidence of a number of smaller and emerging calving areas being more regularly, if variably, occupied84. The south-east population, from Ceduna to Sydney, including Tasmania is not recovering well, with very low regular habitat occupancy, particularly when considered in relation to expectations from historical ecology84. Adequate suitable habitat is likely to be available in both the south-east and south-west, and since social cues and memory are likely to play a role in spatial recovery, it will be important to ensure that spatial recovery is facilitated in that context84.

Migration and movements
As a highly mobile migratory species, southern right whales travel thousands of kilometres between habitats used for essential life functions. Australian coastal movements are reasonably well understood, but little is known of migration travel, non-coastal movements and offshore habitat use.

Southern right whales from the Australian coast are known to travel at least as far south as about 65°S3, 14 presumably whilst foraging. Both non-calving and calving whales also move occasionally between Australia and sub-Antarctic New Zealand coastal habitat between years. The purpose of those movements is unknown83.

On the Australian coast individual southern right whales use widely separated coastal areas (200–1500 kilometres apart) within a season, indicating substantial coast-wide movement31, 58. The longest movements are undertaken by non-calving whales, though calving whales have also been recorded at locations up to 700 kilometres apart within a single season31, 58. Such movements indicate that connectivity of coastal habitat is important for southern right whales84. Connectivity may be disrupted temporarily or permanently by human activities84 and as functional connections between habitat areas are essential, conservation planning should consider