Editorial Comment:
The sightings of Migaloo the white whale, off north-east NSW and south-east Queensland, have generated world-wide interest. This incredible and unique whale has achieved celebrity status and accordingly the Queensland
Government has implemented special approach rules tp provide protection for 'Migaloo'. We urge Members of the Public to respect Migaloo's need to travel unhindered to his destination, the Humpback mating grounds within the Great Barrrier Reef.
Migaloo is now a fully grown 20 year old humpback male and like other Humpback males he sings complex and evolving songs as he migrates. We have had the privildge of observing Migaloo in three different years - 1992, 1993 and 1998 - during our Whale Research Expeditions in Hervey Bay. In 1998 we recorded Migaloo's remarkable song for over two hours.
In a weeks time we will release a 60 minute Audio CD Album titled 'Songlines - Songs of the Eastern Australian Humpbacks'. The CD has 5 tracks, each of 12 minute duration and presents a selection of songs recorded in Hervey Bay between 1992 and 2008. Advance orders of the 'Songlines' Album, featuring 'Migaloo's 1998 Song on Track 3, can be placed online at iWhales.org.
The International Whaling Commission has ended early and as expected no progress was made to bring 'scientific whaling' to an end, or under control of the IWC. The discussions about reform at the IWC have been extended for a further year.
Peter Garret provided a very strong voice for reform at the IWC towards a focus on the Global Conservation status of Cetaceans. The Southern Ocean Research Partnership with New Zealand and other Members of the IWC to study whales in Antarctica using non-lethal research is an important Australian intitiative which will show that 'lethal' research on whales is no longer necessary.
Over sixty Australian Communities are now supporting Australian Humpback Whales. Check if your Community is involved in the Humpback ICON Project. Get the latest HIP News the HIP Brief and the HIP Fact Sheet.
Check Help Save Our Humpbacks for information about what you can do to continue pressure to help the Eastern Australian Humpback Whales.
Check iWhales.org. Movies, sounds and photography of Eastern Australian Humpbacks recorded during our Annual Whale Research Expedtions in Hervey Bay are now availble as DVD's or downloadable films.
Check The Oceania Project's Facebook Group for recent postings.
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Download the latest
Humpback Migration Icon film:
'Amoroso'.
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