Fin whale (Balaenoptera physalus) - removal from vulnerable species list

The Scientific Committee, established by the Threatened Species Conservation Act, has made a Final Determination to remove the Fin Whale, Balaenoptera physalus (Linnaeus, 1758), from the Schedules of the Act by omitting reference to this species from Schedule 2 (Vulnerable species). The omission of species from the Schedules is provided for by Part 2 of the Act.

NSW Scientific Committee - final determination

The Scientific Committee has found that:

1. The Fin Whale, Balaenoptera physalus, is currently listed as a vulnerable species on Schedule 2 of the Threatened Species Conservation Act. All marine mammals in NSW waters are protected by the special provisions of Section 112 of the National Parks and Wildlife Act which prohibits unauthorised approach and harm.

2. The Fin Whale was transferred to Schedule 2 of the Threatened Species Conservation Act from Schedule 6 of the National Parks & Wildlife Act based on the national status for this species given in the Action Plan for Cetaceans (Bannister et al. 1996).

3. There have been only two unconfirmed sightings of this species within the waters of New South Wales and no museum specimens exist for NSW (Smith 2001). The Fin Whale is therefore not eligible for consideration under the Threatened Species Conservation Act as it is not indigenous to NSW.

4. The Southern Hemisphere population of Fin Whale has been estimated at 18,000 (Butterworth et al. 1995), and confirmed records exist for every state in Australia except NSW and the Northern Territory. Nationally, the Fin Whale is listed as Vulnerable under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act.

5. In view of the above the Scientific Committee is of the opinion that the Fin Whale Balaenoptera physalus (Linnaeus, 1758), is no longer eligible to be listed as a vulnerable species in Schedule 2 of the Act.

Proposed Gazettal date: 12/07/02
Exhibition period: 12/07/02 - 16/08/02

References 

Bannister, J.L., Kemper, C.M. and Warneke, R.M. (1996). 'The Action Plan for Australian Cetaceans.' (Australian Nature Conservancy: Canberra.)

Butterworth, D.S., Borchers, D.L., Chalis, S. and De Decker, J.B. (1995). 'Estimates of Abundance for Southern Hemisphere Blue, Fin, Sei, Humpback, Sperm, Killer and Pilot Whales From the 1978/79 to 1990/91 IWC/IDCR Sighting Survey Cruises, With Extrapolations to the Area South of 30°S for the First Five Species Based On Japanese Scouting Vessel Data. Report SC/46/SH24.' (International Whaling Commission Scientific Committee: Cambridge.)

Smith, P. (2001). Review of the conservation status of marine mammals in New South Wales. Report to the NSW Scientific Committee.