Skip to content
Humpback whale © Scott Portelli
All news
  • All news
  • About whales & dolphins
  • Corporates
  • Create healthy seas
  • End captivity
  • Green Whale
  • Prevent deaths in nets
  • Scottish Dolphin Centre
  • Stop whaling
  • Stranding
  • Whale watching
Whales in hot water report cover

Our climate report highlights dramatic impacts on whales and dolphins

A new WDC report highlights the dramatic effect on whales and dolphins from climate change,...
Common dolphin

WDC takes ‘A Walk in the Park…with Animal Friends’

Longstanding WDC partner Animal Friends returns with season two of their podcast 'A Walk in...
Japanese whaling ship

Infamous whale slaughter ship docks for the final time

The whaling ship, Nisshin Maru has returned to the port of Shimonoseki for the final...
Sperm whale

Dominica announces new protections for sperm whales

Dominica has placed almost 800 square kilometers of sea off the west coast of the...

Humpback whale rescued from shark net in Australia

A humpback whale and her calf have managed to escape after becoming entangled in a shark net off the coast of Queensland, Australia.

In the southern hemisphere humpback whales spend the austral summer in Antarctica before migrating north during the winter months to breed and give birth in warmer waters. Their migration route takes them along the east or west coasts of Australia.

Shark nets are around 150m in length and are set in  particular locations in an attempt to deter sharks from getting close to swimming or surfing beaches. However, they do not cover the whole beach and regularly entangle other marine life. Since 2001, 82 humpbacks have become trapped in the nets.

Local conservationists have called for the nets to be removed during the whales' migration season now that alternatives, such as using drones, offer a less invasive but successful way of monitoring shark movements.

Related News

Whales in hot water report cover

Our climate report highlights dramatic impacts on whales and dolphins

A new WDC report highlights the dramatic effect on whales and dolphins from climate change, including slowly boiling seas, shortage of prey and devastating mass...
Blue whale at surface

Creating a safe haven for whales and dolphins in the Southern Ocean

Emma Eastcott Emma is WDC's head of safe seas. She helps ensure whales and dolphins are free from unintentional threats including pollution, collisions with vessels and...
Common dolphin

WDC takes ‘A Walk in the Park…with Animal Friends’

Longstanding WDC partner Animal Friends returns with season two of their podcast 'A Walk in the Park…with Animal Friends'. The podcast aims to engage and...
Humpback whale © Christopher Swann

Migration Patterns of Humpback Whales

Kidzone - quick links Fun Facts Curious kids Blogs Fantastic fundraisers Gallery Splish and Splash Puzzles Humpback whales complete some of the longest migrations of...

About George Berry

George is a member of WDC's Communications team and website coordinator.

Leave a Comment