The Aporia · Tour guides make remarkable discovery about Great Barrier Reef whales: ‘Not even scientists knew what it meant’

Australian tour guides have helped scientists understand an enigmatic humpback whale behavior observed since 2009, where whales float upside down with their tails out of water for extended periods. According to Crystal Lacey, a reef guide program manager, a collaborative effort between community members, tourism operators, and scientists revealed that this behavior is actually a breeding behavior in one of the world's most important whale calving areas. In 2022, there were 780 adult humpback whales and 153 calves sighted in the Whitsunday islands off Queensland through the "Eye on the Reef" program. The discovery has led to the establishment of a Whale Protection Area in the Whitsundays, where marine mammals receive higher levels of protection than anywhere else in the Marine Park.

Written locally by qwen2.5:14b on 2026-09-07, using this article's own text rather than the other coverage of the same event (that is the story summary below).

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In 2009, tour guides in Australia's Whitsundays region began reporting an unusual behavior among humpback whales: they were floating upside down, holding their tails above the water for extended periods. This "fluking" behavior had never been seen before and left scientists puzzled. A collaborative effort between tourism operators, community members, and scientists was launched to investigate this phenomenon. The research team used a combination of methods, including counting whales and calves by tour guides and mapping the seafloor by scientists. After several years of study, they discovered that the unusual behavior was actually a breeding behavior, where male humpback whales gather in large numbers and engage in this unique fluking display to attract mates and establish dominance. This discovery has shed new light on the complex social dynamics of humpback whales and their reproductive habits.

Written for “Great Barrier Reef Discovery” on 2026-10-22, grounded in this article and the 0 other(s) covering the same event.

📰 Great Barrier Reef Discovery

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Vishwam Sankaran

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Australian tourism operators have helped crack the mystery of an enigmatic humpback whale behaviour that has left scientists baffled since it was first observed in 2009. asserted

it → help → 2009

Sighting of whales exhibiting unusually long “fluking” behaviour – where the mammals float upside down holding their tails above the water for extended periods – began surfacing in 2009. asserted

mammals → exhibit → 2009

Tour guides reported these observations, which appeared to involve large numbers of humpback whales, to the Great Barrier Reef authorities, who then informed scientists. asserted

who → report → scientists

“It was an unusual behaviour they had never seen before. asserted

they → see → ?

Not even the whale scientists knew what it meant at the time. asserted

it → know → time

So that uncertainty sparked a major research effort, which combined citizen science through the tourism operators’ observations and scientific research,” said Crystal Lacey, a reef guides program manager. asserted

Lacey → spark → observations

A collaborative effort ensued, involving community members, tourism operators, and scientists. asserted

effort → ensue → members

Tour operators counted whales and calves, while scientists mapped the seafloor, monitored water temperatures, tracked whales by satellite and surveyed the region from the air. asserted

scientists → count → air

Researchers soon discovered that what they observed was actually a breeding behaviour in one of the world’s most important whale calving areas. asserted

observed → discover → areas

They found that there was a hidden humpback whale “maternity ward” in the warm shallow waters of the Whitsunday tropical islands off the central coast of Queensland. asserted

They → find → Queensland

“It was one of the region's largest citizen science efforts, recording whale sightings and calves through Eye on the Reef. asserted

It → record → Reef

Just in that one year, there were 780 adults and 153 calves sighted in the Whitsundays,” Ms Lacey said. asserted

Lacey → be → Whitsundays

The breakthrough has finally helped solve one of the biggest mysteries surrounding humpback whales on the Great Barrier Reef – where they give birth. asserted

they → help → birth

It has led to the establishment of a Whale Protection Area in the Whitsundays, where the marine mammals are given higher levels of protection than in any other area of the Marine Park. asserted

mammals → lead → Park

This strengthens existing laws for how people interact with whales in the area, with established minimum approach distances for vessels. asserted

people → strengthen → vessels

“We discovered the Whitsundays provide the sheltered, warm and shallow waters humpback whales need to give birth and raise newborn calves,” Ms Lacey said. asserted

Lacey → discover → calves

Efforts by tour operators have helped establish the Whitsundays as the only place in the world where a Whale Heritage Area occurs inside a UNESCO World Heritage Area. asserted

Area → establish → Area

“Because of the tourism industry’s strong partnerships with management agencies and Traditional Owners in the Whitsundays, the region was able to satisfy the requirements to become a Whale Heritage Area status,” Ms Lacey said. asserted

Lacey → satisfy → requirements

Tour guides make remarkable discovery about Great Barrier Reef whales: ‘Not even scientists knew what it meant’

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