Southern Right Whale photo identification project

The Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning (DELWP) is inviting the community to participate in a citizen science project which supports its Southern Right Whale research program. DELWP invites you to submit sighting information and photos  of Southern Right Whales which is vital for monitoring and protection of this Critically Endangered species.

Photos of the unique pattern of white features on the whales’ head (called callosities) are catalogued and used to identify individual whales. Together with the sighting information this data is used to help us monitor movements, breeding patterns and determine trends in population size. Whilst this project focuses on Southern Right Whales, we also welcome sightings and photos of any other whale species as this information assists us to conserve and protect all species in Victorian waters.

The online whale sightings uploader has been developed to support volunteers in contributing their observations and photos to the whale research and monitoring project. Sightings submitted using the uploader are reviewed by DELWP researchers and added to the DELWP whale sightings database and Victorian Biodiversity Atlas (VBA).

Register here then sign in below to submit whale sightings, upload photos and view the latest whale news.