Wildlife
Emergencies
FACTSHEET No:2
Whale and dolphin strandings
Whale and dolphin strandings in Victoria
Victorian coastal waters support a number of
different whales and dolphins throughout the
year. Southern Right Whales regularly calve
at Logan’s Beach, Warrnambool. Blue
Whales feed in Victorian waters off Portland
from November to May. Humpback Whales
are known to migrate up the eastern coast of
Australian generally from May to June, and
then back down the coast from September to
November.
A whale or dolphin stranding emergency
occurs when a normally free-swimming
animal is trapped onshore or in shallow
waters. Mass strandings can also occur,
involving a whole pod of whales or dolphins.
Victoria has an average of four to seven
reported stranding incidents per year, most
of which are of a single beach-washed
animal. The last mass stranding event in
Victoria was in 1983 when 87 False Killer
Whales stranded at Croajingolong National
Park.
Why do whales strand?
There have been many instances of whales
and dolphins stranding themselves on
Australian beaches either singly or in groups.
Dolphins and the smaller toothed whales are
the species that most often strand on
Victorian beaches. Pilot Whales and Sperm
whales are two of the species that have been
known to strand in large numbers.
The reason why whales strand is not fully
understood. Sick or dying whales may be
washed ashore. In rough seas, whales or
dolphins may swim too close to the shore
and become stranded. It is also thought that
the shape of the beach and coastline may
sometimes contribute to strandings.
No:
Whales may respond to distress calls from
stranded, ill or injured whales, and a large
group may follow a leader, resulting in a
mass stranding.
In some cases whales and dolphins make
determined efforts to strand themselves. This
can result in the animals re-stranding after a
rescue attempt.
It is important to note that not all whales
seen close to the shore are in danger of
stranding. For example Southern Right
Whales are shallow water specialists and
may often be seen lingering in the surf line.
Who do I call if I see a stranded whale or
dolphin?
Any whale or dolphin stranding (or
entanglement
or
injury)
should
be
immediately reported to DSE via the Whale
and Dolphin Emergency Hotline - 1300
136 017.
Emergency response
Whale
and
dolphin
strandings
are
designated as emergencies under the
Emergency Management Act 1986. The
Emergency Management Manual of Victoria
(EMMV)
lists
the
Department
of
Sustainability and Environment (DSE) as the
control agency for dealing with whale and
dolphin strandings.
DSE and its partner agencies manage
strandings under the Victorian Cetacean
Contingency Plan (VCCP). This plan outlines
standards and procedures for staff when
responding to a stranding emergency.
Like all other emergencies which involve the
Department (including whale and dolphin
entanglements), strandings are managed
under the Australasian Inter-service Incident
No.
FACTSHEET
Management System (AIIMS) structure.
AIIMS is the Incident Management System
used by government to control a particular
incident, or a number of incidents.
A number of partner agencies assist DSE
with strandings. Parks Victoria assists with
the first response to an incident and is often
the land manager where whale or dolphin
strandings occur. Parks Victoria also
manages access and enquiries from the
public.
What will happen in an emergency?
DSE staff will assess the situation to
determine the appropriate response and if
needed an Incident Management Team
(IMT) will be set up under the AIIMS
structure.
Live cetacean stranding incidents will be
managed by experts using specialised
equipment. They will attempt to return the
animal to the ocean if it is safe and possible
to do so, and depending on the physical and
social condition of the whale.
Photo: Dolphin Research Institute
What can I do to help?
In the instance of a large stranding event
volunteers may be required. Volunteers
involved will be required to comply with DSE
protocols at all times. Any person wanting to
help should contact their local DSE office to
register their interest.
How will the animals be treated?
In some cases, DSE will be able to refloat
the animal using specialised equipment,
enabling them to swim back out to sea.
However rescue attempts are not always
successful.
In some situations the most humane
treatment for stranded, particularly large
whales, will be to let them die of natural
causes. Palliative care will be provided to
these animals, to ensure they are protected
from the sun and kept as cool as possible
while this process plays out.
If the animal is suffering badly then persisting
in attempts to save it may only prolong its
pain and euthanasia may be required. The
decision whether to perform euthanasia or
allow animals to die naturally will depend on
the circumstances of the stranding, the size
of the animal and the expertise of personnel
performing the procedure.
Why can’t I touch the whale?
Marine mammals are protected by law. It is
illegal for any member of the public to
interfere with them on sea or land. Significant
penalties exist for people who take
unauthorised samples or souvenirs such as
teeth from a dead whale or dolphin. It is an
offence to possess material taken from
whales or dolphins.
It can also be dangerous to approach a
stranded
whale.
DSE
will
respond
appropriately taking into consideration the
safety of personnel and welfare of the whale.
Dead dolphins and whales are of great
scientific significance and should be left
alone by members of the public.
ISBN 978-1-74242-270-1 (print)
ISBN 978-1-74242-271-8 (online)
Published by the Victorian Government Department of Sustainability and Environment
Melbourne, November 2009 © The State of Victoria Department of Sustainability and Environment 2009
This publication is copyright. No part may be reproduced by any process except in accordance with the provisions of the Copyright Act 1968.
Authorised by the Victorian Government, 8 Nicholson Street, East Melbourne.
Printed by Biodiversity Conservation, 2/8 Nicholson Street, East Melbourne
For more information contact the DSE Customer Service Centre 136 186. This publication may be of assistance to you but the State of Victoria and
its employees do not guarantee that the publication is without flaw of any kind or is wholly appropriate for your particular purposes and therefore
disclaims all liability for any error, loss or other consequence which may arise from you relying on any information in this publication.
www.dse.vic.gov.au
2