16

22
28
34
117 120 123 126 129
34
13
19
25
31
13
129 126 123 120 117 114
111 114
LOCATION AND ESTIMATED PERIOD OF
HUMPBACK WHALE ACTIVITY IN WA
T I M O R S E A
I N D I A N
O C E A N
50 0 100 200 300 KILOMETRES 400
Camden Sound - Resting/milling area/calving area
Exmouth Gulf - Resting area with calves
Shark Bay - Resting area with calves
Geographe Bay - Resting area with calves
ALBERS EQUAL AREA PROJECTION WITH STANDARD PARALLELS 1730'S AND 3130'S
This map has been compiled from various data sources received from a
number of agencies. No responsibility is accepted for any error or omission.
C Western Australia 2003
I N D I A N
O C E A N
ALBANY
Lancelin
PERTH
MANDURAH
BUNBURY
BUSSELTON
Augusta
Walpole Denmark
GERALDTON
Exmouth
CARNARVON
MEEKATHARRA
PORT HEDLAND
DAMPIER
KARRATHA
ROEBOURNE
KALGOORLIE
ESPERANCE
LEONORA
DERBY
BROOME
WYNDHAM
Eucla
FREMANTLE
KWINANA
MT MAGNET
The periods for resting and calving shown are estimated peak migration periods. Actual timing
of annual migration may vary by as much as 3 weeks from year to year due to food availability in
the Antarctic.
The major calving ground identified is situated in the Kimberly region - Camden Sound.
Humpback whales can also be expected to be encountered outside the shown migratory paths
which are representative only of the main migratory body during peak season at each area.
(ref. Jenner et al 2001)
Humpback_activity_col.alb
North Bound Peak
South Bound Peak
South Bound Cow/Calf Peak
30 APRIL 2003
Jurien Bay
2
0
0
m
2
0
0
m
2
0
0
m
2
0
0
m
200m
500m
5
0
0
m
5
0
0
m
500m
5
0
0
m
A
U
S
T
R
A
L
I
A
S
O
U
T
H
N
O
R
T
H
E
R
N
T
E
R
R
I
T
O
R
Y
CAMDEN SOUND
Resting/Milling/Calving Area
EXMOUTH GULF
Resting area with Calves
SHARK BAY
Resting area with Calves
GEOGRAPHE BAY
Resting area with Calves
31
28
25
22
19
16
June July Aug Sept Oct Nov May
Migration Route
C
a
l
v
i
n
g
Peak Northbound Migration
The northern migration extends
further offshore and lies within the
400m bathymetry.
Peak Southbound Migration
The southbound migration is
generally closer to shore, mostly
within the 200m bathymetry.
Jurien Bay to Carnarvon
Geographe Bay to Jurien Bay
Carnarvon to NW Cape
NW Cape to Port Hedland
Port Hedland to Broome
Broome to Campden Sound
(Megaptera novaeangliae) The most recognised great whale species.
Notable for their long flippers, complex 'songs' and frequent aerial behaviours.
Length 14-18 metres.
S O U T H E R N O C E A N