Informing spatial planning for pygmy blue whale management: fine scale analysis of movement (WEL)

This project documents the results of a desk-top analysis of existing pygmy blue whale (PBW) satellite telemetry data (horizontal and vertical movement) at finer scales than previously undertaken. The objective was to provide key parameters on the movement behaviour of PBW within the North-west Marine Region (NWMR) to assist in understanding and modelling their potential responses to underwater noise in the region.

Satellite tagged PBW (n=10) spent 19 ± 6 days in the region between Ningaloo and the northern extent of Australia’s EEZ on the northern migration (present 12 April – 12 July) and 23 and 10 days on the southern migration (present 23 September – 30 October)