Understanding Strandings: 25 years of Humpback Whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) Strandings in Queensland, Australia

Meynecke, Jan‐Olaf; Meager, Justin J.

doi:10.2112/si75-180.1

Cited by 18 publications

(21 citation statements)

References 15 publications

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“…Our results demonstrate that the risk of entanglement can be explained by the position of the EAC inner edge. These results expand on recent findings suggesting that humpback whale entanglements may be related to the position of the EAC as a whole (Meynecke and Meager ; Volep et al. ).…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 88%

“…). Together, these results support the idea of a nearshore range compression, where the whales’ range is essentially compressed by an inshore encroachment of the EAC edge (Meynecke and Meager ), guiding them into shallow water and increasing their likelihood of entanglement.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 74%

“…). These previous studies of humpback whale entanglements in shark‐control nets have used in‐situ data to infer correlations with environmental conditions (Meynecke and Meager ), or ocean reanalysis velocity data (Volep et al. ) to map the position of the EAC core and its relationship with entanglements.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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A current affair: entanglement of humpback whales in coastal shark‐control nets

Bolin

Schoeman

Pizà-Roca

et al. 2019

Remote Sens Ecol Conserv

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Shark‐control nets pose an entanglement risk to East Australian humpback whales during their annual northward and southward migrations between the Southern Ocean and the Coral Sea. Rates of whale entanglement exhibit seasonal and interannual variation, suggesting that an understanding of the influence of variability in the broad‐scale physical environment along the migratory route would be useful in assessing risk of entanglement. This study provides a quantitative spatio‐temporal analysis of the probability of whale entanglement in shark‐control nets relative to the position and characteristics of the East Australian Current (EAC), the dominant oceanographic feature of the region. We use satellite‐derived sea‐surface temperature, and outputs from a data‐assimilating ocean model, to develop multivariate, data‐driven algorithms for detecting the edge of the EAC using Principal Components Analysis. We use outputs from these algorithms to model the likelihood of humpback entanglements in South‐east Queensland. We find that the likelihood of entanglement increases when the EAC edge is locally less structured and closer to shore in the vicinity of the corresponding net, or when the EAC is well resolved over the entire study domain. Our results suggest that migrating humpbacks use the gradient in physical characteristics that marks the EAC inner edge as a navigational aid. Thus, when the EAC inner edge encroaches on the coast, the whales’ migration range is compressed into nearshore waters, increasing the risk of entanglement. Our findings can help predict periods of elevated entanglement risk, which could underpin a more data‐driven approach to the management of shark‐control programs, and other activities that involve static fishing gear.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 88%

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 74%

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A current affair: entanglement of humpback whales in coastal shark‐control nets

Bolin

Schoeman

Pizà-Roca

et al. 2019

Remote Sens Ecol Conserv

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“…Identifying causes of morbidity and mortality in many marine vertebrate species including marine turtles, dugongs, whales, and dolphins has been pivotal to developing an understanding of disease factors implicated in stranding events and assisting with the formulation of conservation plans for some species. 14,44 A standardized set of guidelines for examining dead sea snakes is essential to determine causes of morbidity and mortality. Documentation of stranding location and postmortem examination also provides valuable information on life history traits and the ecology of these reclusive species (e.g., through identification of stomach contents and reproductive status).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Postmortem examination of Australian sea snakes (Hydrophiinae): Anatomy and common pathologic conditions

et al. 2017

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There is limited published information about disease in wild sea snakes and no standardized guideline for postmortem examination of sea snakes. Identifying causes of morbidity and mortality of marine vertebrate species has been pivotal to understanding disease factors implicated in stranding events and assisting with the formulation of conservation plans. Additionally, postmortem findings can provide valuable information on life history traits and the ecology of these reclusive species. Sick, moribund, or dead sea snakes are intermittently washed ashore along Australian and international beaches and provide an opportunity to examine a subset of the population and identify causes of population decline. We present an illustrated description of sea snake anatomy and describe a systematic approach to postmortem examination of sea snakes. We describe common pathologic conditions identified from clinical and postmortem examinations of stranded Australian sea snakes from southeast Queensland. Notable pathologic conditions include traumatic injury, inflammatory conditions, parasitic infections, and neoplasia.

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“…Identifying causes of morbidity and mortality in many marine vertebrate species including marine turtles, dugongs, whales and dolphins has been pivotal to developing an understanding of disease factors implicated in stranding events and assisting with the formulation of conservation plans for some species 130,165 .…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

An investigation into the stranding of Australian sea snakes

Gillett¹

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Strandings of marine animals are a regular occurrence both on Australian and international beaches and provide an opportunity for gathering data on the anatomy, health, and ecology of many oceandwelling species that might be unattainable otherwise. Analysis of stranding data has revealed many important diseases, anthropogenic injuries (primarily as a result of commercial or recreational fishing and boating) and other potential threats in a number of marine species. As such, stranding information is important to include when evaluating the conservation status of marine species whilst developing processes to mitigate declines. Stranding analyses and scientific reports are readily available for a range of marine species, including cetaceans, pinnipeds, dugong and marine turtles, but have not been previously undertaken in sea snakes.True sea snakes (subfamily Hydrophiinae: Hydrophiini) spend their entire life in the marine environment, as opposed to their amphibious counterparts the sea kraits (genus Laticauda). Sea snake species inhabiting Australia's waters are almost exclusively Hydrophiinae, yet are regularly found beach-washed on Australia's coastline, particularly in Queensland. As such, stranded sea snakes in Australia are likely ill or injured individuals. Despite frequent sea snake strandings, demonstrated population declines in some species and recognition that sea snakes are likely to be bio-indicators of the health of the marine ecosystem, an epidemiological investigation of sea snake strandings has not been conducted.The main objective of this thesis was to help address gaps in the literature about sea snake health, disease and stranding events, with particular focus in south east Queensland, where stranding reports occur most frequently. A comprehensive analysis of information from multiple stranding databases was undertaken to assess: (i) species occurrence, (ii) the cause of strandings (where known), (iii) sex predisposition (where identified), (iv) biometrics, (v) stranding locations, and (vi) times of year when strandings occur. This information was from stranding reports, and was collated to provide a comprehensive assessment of reported sea snake stranding events in Queensland, identifying key 'hot-spots' for stranding observations, seasonal occurrence of strandings, and factors that are likely to influence stranding events. Abnormally high numbers of stranded animals were reported in 1996 and 2009 and this appeared to coincide with times of higher than average rainfall, as well as increased onshore winds and wind speed (Chapter 2).To address the paucity of information in the literature about normal clinical health parameters for sea snakes an antemortem assessment guide was developed, detailing procedures for the clinical ii assessment and diagnostic investigation of sea snakes by veterinarians and researchers (Chapter 3).In addition, the first comprehensive set of haematological and biochemical reference ranges for three species of Australian sea snakes were developed from blood collect...

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Understanding Strandings: 25 years of Humpback Whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) Strandings in Queensland, Australia

Cited by 18 publications

References 15 publications

A current affair: entanglement of humpback whales in coastal shark‐control nets

A current affair: entanglement of humpback whales in coastal shark‐control nets

Postmortem examination of Australian sea snakes (Hydrophiinae): Anatomy and common pathologic conditions

An investigation into the stranding of Australian sea snakes

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