Life in the Shipping Lane; The Cost of Increasing Disturbance to Whales

该项目旨在量化船舶撞击对莫尔顿湾座头鲸的风险增加，并预测慢性干扰对哺乳小牛的影响。这项研究建立在初步发现的基础上，确定莫尔顿湾是迁徙座头鲸的休息区。使用实证和建模方法，这项研究直接响应联邦政府的战略，以减轻船舶罢工，明确标志莫尔顿湾作为一个“关注领域”。该项目是与传统业主和行业合作开发的，预计将为该地区提供最佳的缓解措施。研究结果进一步对沿着澳大利亚座头鲸迁徙走廊的类似功能栖息地产生了影响。

This project aims to quantify the increasing risk of ship strike to humpback whales in Moreton Bay, and predict the impact of chronic disturbance to nursing calves. The research builds on pilot findings identifying Moreton Bay as a resting area for migrating humpback whales. Using empirical and modelling approaches, this research responds directly to the Federal Government strategy for mitigating ship strike, which explicitly flags Moreton Bay as an 'area of concern'. The project has been developed in collaboration with traditional owners and industry, and is expected deliver optimal mitigation measures for the region. Findings further carry implications for similar functional habitats along Australia's humpback whale migratory corridors.