Unlocking ocean mysteries across the southern oceans
Griffith University’s Whales and Climate team have received tremendous philanthropic support over the past five years enabling them to undertake research that has spanned the southern oceans of Australia, South Africa and South America.
The unique position of our Gold Coast campus affords us prime access to a globally important humpback whale migration corridor and therefore a major focus of our research is the whale migrations of the Australian east cost. We have also partnered with researchers in South Africa and South America, bringing together more than 25 researchers from eight institutions in the Southern Hemisphere under the leadership of Griffith University.
Dr Jan-Olaf Meynecke
Their research has revealed new knowledge and insights into key aspects of humpback whale ecology, behaviour and environmental responses to changing climates.
In a world first trial the team was able to track migrating humpbacks using a novel suction cup method, paving the way for this less invasive device to be deployed globally.
The generosity of Griffith’s donor community has been foundational to the program’s success. It has helped to create the largest Southern Hemisphere humpback whale sighting database allowing the team develop adaptation scenarios to advance whale conservation policies.
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