The Oceania Project was established in 1988 as a scientific, charitable and public institution for the advancement of community education in the field of Cetacea (Whales, Dolphins and Porpoises) and the Ocean Environment.
We have five ongoing research programs including a photo-identification survey commenced in 1992 to provide data for the study of the behaviour, social dynamics and ecology of the East Australian Humpback Whales.
Our behavioural data and photo-id fluke catalogue have already made a significant contribution to documenting the recovery of the East Australian Humpbacks following their near extinction due to commercial whaling in Antarctica.
We have taken and analysed over 40,000 photo-id data images and our fluke catalogue consists of over 3,000 individuals, the largest digital data archive on Humpbacks in the southern hemisphere.
Our research has enabled us to document the life histories of nearly 600 individual Humpback Whales, many of whom we have come to know extremely well as they migrate annually up the East Coast of Australia.
Information obtained from these research programs adds to the body of knowledge about Humpback Whales and also directly contributes to the Australian Cetacean Management and Monitoring Program.