The Oceania Project

Established in 1988, The Oceania Project is an independent, nonprofit, scientific research organisation dedicated to the conservation and protection of Cetacea (whales, dolphins and porpoises) and the ocean environment. A long-term study of the eastern Australian humpback whales has been the major work of The Oceania Project. We have five ongoing research programs including a photo-identification survey commenced in 1992 to provide data for the study of the behaviour, social dynamics and ecology of the eastern Australian humpback whales. Our behavioural data and photo-id fluke catalogue have already made a significant contribution to documenting the recovery of the eastern Australian humpback whales following their near extinction due to commercial whaling in Antarctica. We have taken and analysed over photo-id data images and our fluke catalogue consists of over individuals, the largest digital data archive on humpback whales in the southern hemisphere. Our research has enabled us to document the life histories of over 600 individual humpback whales, many of whom we have come to know extremely well as they migrate annually up the east coast of Australia. Information obtained from these research programs adds to the body of knowledge about humpback whales and also directly contributes to the Australian cetacean management and monitoring program.