Whales, dolphins and porpoises
How is Australia protecting whales?
Whales, dolphins and porpoises are warm blooded, air breathing marine mammals which give birth to live young. 'Cetacean' is the scientific name (of the Order Cetacea) which refers to whales, dolphins and porpoises.
Australian waters are home to a large number of unique and magnificent marine mammals, including 45 species of whales, dolphins and porpoises. Some of these species are permanent residents in Australian waters, whilst others are occasional visitors, migrating from their summer feeding grounds in the Antarctic to the warmer waters of the Australian coast during the winter.
Australians have long recognised the importance of whales, dolphins and porpoises to our unique marine ecosystems, and believe that it is essential to ensure the survival of these mammals long into the future. The Australian Government has made whale, dolphin and porpoise conservation a priority and is a world leader in the protection and conservation of these species both in Australia and on an international scale.
Find out more about:
Discovery game and Minke whale video
Minke whales in Antarctica
A pod of minke whales off Davis, Antarctica
Latest news
Operation CETUS 2012
The Australasian Environmental Law Enforcement and Regulators neTwork (AELERT) will be coordinating Operation CETUS 2012 throughout the whale migration season (May - December).
Fact sheets
- Australia's research priorities for cetaceans
- The Australian Government Marine Mammal Conservation Initiative
- Non-lethal research techniques for studying whales
- Whale protection
- The role of science in the International Whaling Commission
Research permits
Whale watching
Stranded or entangled whales
Report a stranding or entangled whale to your State Environment Department
- RESCUE HOTLINES
- Report a stranding or entanglement