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Moreton Bay Marine Park home to the Humpback Whale and Bottlenose Dolphin
Humpback whales visit Moreton Bay Marine Park every winter and spring when migrating to and from their Antarctic feeding grounds. However, Moreton Bay Marine Park is also home to two resident dolphin species. The bottlenose dolphin and the Indo-Pacific hump-backed dolphin may be seen regularly when out on the bay. Throughout the year other species are also known to visit Moreton Bay Marine Park including: killer whales, southern right whales, sperm whales, melon-headed whales, minke whales, common dolphins, spinner dolphins and rissos dolphins. Other species probably visit but are not easily identified. Protection In the past, humans have used their knowledge of the annual humpback whale migration to devastating advantage. A whaling station existed at Tangalooma on Moreton Island in the 1950s. Thousands of humpback whales were taken at this station alone between 1952 and 1962. Today, changed attitudes and legislation ensure the species is conserved and the humpback whale population is slowly increasing. Under Federal Law whaling within 200 miles of Australias coastline is banned.
Turtle and dugong areas - These help conserve sea turtle and dugong population by protecting them from injury and death caused by vessels and reducing seagrass bed damage. Commercial bloodworm gathering areas - These ensure that commercial bloodworm gathering does not permanently affect the habitat, especially as a feeding area for shorebirds and a nursery for fish. Shorebirds - Beaches, sandbanks and mudflats in the Bay are important areas for shorebirds (wading birds and seabirds). More than 50 000 wading birds visit here annually, and Moreton Bay is internationally recognised as a Ramsar site for its importance to the survival of these birds. Every summer, many wading birds feed on the rich food reserves in Moreton Bay. By April, they leave to fly thousands of kilometres to breed in artic and sub-artic regions. Each time these birds are disturbed by people, dogs or vehicles, they waste valuable energy reserves. This makes flying to breeding grounds and producing healthy young more difficult. Turtles and dugong - Moreton Bay's seagrass meadows are an important food source for turtle and dugong populations. Five areas are designated 'turtle and dugong areas' to protect these endangered and vulnerable animals from boat injuries and disturbance. Moreton Bays sandbanks and mudflats are sources of bait but these areas are also home and food for fish, crabs, birds, turtles and dugong. |
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Humpback whales are the fifth largest of the great whales. Adult females grow to 15m, slightly longer than males. A mature humpback can weigh 40 tonnes. Each year humpback whales migrate from Antarctica to the sub-tropical coastal waters of western and eastern Australia and South Pacific islands where they give birth and mate during winter and spring.
Marine park concept - Unlike a national park on land where all landscapes and wildlife are preserved to the greatest possible extent, a marine park allows most people to do most things while still protecting the natural environment.