Sixty years after the commercial whaling ban was implemented, Australia’s humpback whale population has seen a significant recovery. However, this success has brought new challenges, as the increased number of whales sharing coastal waters with recreational and commercial vessels has led to a rise in boat and propeller strikes.

WWF Australia recently released photographic evidence documenting the impact of these collisions. The images show adult and juvenile whales suffering from severe lacerations, missing tail parts, and spinal injuries. One specific case documented last month in Hervey Bay, Queensland, shows a calf with fresh, deep cuts across its back. Experts note that Hervey Bay is a critical resting area for mothers and their calves, making it a high-risk zone for interactions with watercraft.

While the population boom is widely considered a conservation success, the physical toll on individual whales has become a point of concern for marine biologists. The injuries documented range from superficial gashes to life-threatening wounds that can impact a whale's ability to swim or migrate effectively. Conservationists are using these findings to advocate for increased awareness among boaters and potentially stricter navigation guidelines in areas where whales are known to congregate. Currently, the focus remains on documenting the frequency of these strikes and understanding how the increased density of both whales and boat traffic contributes to the problem.