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MUCRU’s North West AustralianMarine Mammal Research:
2013 and beyond
Simon AllenAmanda Hodgson, Alex Brown, Josh Smith, Lars Bejder, Ken Pollock and Neil Loneragan
Web: http://mucru.org/Members and adjuncts: http://mucru.org/group-members/
Publications: http://mucru.org/lab-publications/Email: [email protected]: 08 9360 2823 / 0416 083 653
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MUCRU: What we do and why…
- standardised survey effort
- strict protocols
- identity, abundance, movements, structure
- assess influence of human activities
- mitigate against negative impacts
152m
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Shark Bay: behaviour, tourism, new survey methods
- Western gulf
- Eastern gulf
- Both gulfs
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North West Cape and Onslow: marine mammal ecology informing mitigation and management
- Dugong Research Program
- Australian humpback dolphin research
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Pilbara: Dolphins and human impacts
- Bycatch Pilbara trawl fishery
*Improved uptake of recommendations to reduce bycatch*
- coastal zone development “the major threat” to tropical inshore dolphins
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Kimberley: snubfin and humpback dolphins
- Mark-recapture abundance estimates- Residency, ranging patterns, habitat use- Genetic connectivity- Passive acoustic monitoring
2012 - 2015
AMMC Project 2011/23WAMSI II
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Broader WA: Coastal Walkabout
- Citizen engagement
- Smart-phone technology
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The numerous knowledge gaps
- NW Dolphins: No population estimates, trends, species ID, residency
- Dugongs: Little known of numbers and movements
- Humpback whales: Little known of localised movements and residency times
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Acknowledgements:
Research funding 2013-:The Australian Marine Mammal CentreChevronWAMSI II
Logistic support 2013-:Shark Bay Resources; Aspen Parks; Coral Bay Research Station; various
Pilbara/Kimberley residents; Eco Beach Wilderness Retreat; Kimberley Marine Research Station; BlueCloudSpatial.