Researchers use whale photo archive to help protect important WA calving site

Southern right whale populations were severely depleted by whaling but may be bouncing back in Geographe Bay

• Follow our Australia news live blog for the latest updates
• Get our free news app; get our morning email briefing

Researchers are combing through thousands of whale photos to help protect a calving site off Western Australia's coast that was severely impacted by the whaling industry.

The researchers believe that Geographe Bay off south-west WA is an important calving ground in need of environmental protection, and are using a 30-year archive of images to determine how many southern right whales have visited the area over time.