Parra Vergara, Guido J., Corkeron, Peter J., and Marsh, Helene (2004) The Indo-Pacific Humpback Dolphin, Sousa chinensis (Osbeck, 1765), in Australian Waters: a Summary of current knowledge. Aquatic Mammals, 30 (1). pp. 197-206.

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Abstract

Indo-Pacific humpback dolphins (Sousa chinensis) occur in the coastal northern waters of Australia from approximately the Queensland – New South Wales border (31°27primeS, 152°55primeE) to Ningaloo Reef (22°17primeS, 113°48primeE) in Western Australia. Due to their coastal, estuarine distribution, Indo-Pacific humpback dolphins are particularly vulnerable to several human activities in and adjacent to coastal areas. At present, it is not possible to assess the population status of humpback dolphins in Australian waters because information on their biology and ecology is limited. The sparse data available for selected areas indicate that humpback dolphins occur in discrete, geographically localized populations and are susceptible to anthropogenic threats (e.g., incidental captures in gill nets). The conservation of humpback dolphins in Australia's northern coastline will depend on the maintenance of high-quality habitat in areas that are already under some protection, the identification of critical habitats, the inclusion of these habitats in the rezoning initiatives of protected areas, and the reduction of conservation threats. Precautionary measures should be adopted while further work on abundance estimates, population structure, and levels of human-caused mortality are carried out on a wider scale in Australian waters.

Item ID:	5801
Item Type:	Article (Research - C1)
ISSN:	0167-5427
Keywords:	Australia; distribution; Indo-Pacific humpback dolphin; sousa chinensis; threats; conservation; management; habitat degradation; incidental take
Additional Information:	Reproduced with permission from Aquatic Mammals.
Date Deposited:	17 Dec 2009 22:59
FoR Codes:	05 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES > 0502 Environmental Science and Management > 050211 Wildlife and Habitat Management @ 50% 05 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES > 0502 Environmental Science and Management > 050202 Conservation and Biodiversity @ 50%
SEO Codes:	96 ENVIRONMENT > 9608 Flora, Fauna and Biodiversity > 960808 Marine Flora, Fauna and Biodiversity @ 70% 96 ENVIRONMENT > 9699 Other Environment > 969999 Environment not elsewhere classified @ 30%
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