Overview

• Annual births of southern right whales in Australian waters have plateaued since 2016–17, with researchers observing declining trends in coastal visits.
• Non-mother and calf whale sightings dropped by 66% between 2011 and 2024, according to 49 years of aerial survey data.
• The population, estimated at 2,000–3,500 individuals, remains far below pre-whaling levels, at just 16% of historic abundance.
• Researchers cite potential drivers such as climate change and human activity but emphasize the need for further study to determine specific causes.
• The findings underscore the urgency for targeted conservation efforts to support the endangered species' recovery in changing marine ecosystems.