Experts say whales are frequently exposed to shipping noise, even in Australian marine parks. 

A research team has used shipping data to determine how frequently Australia's marine parks are exposed to passing ships, and found 18 per cent are exposed to more than 365 ships a year. 

The researchers also compared this shipping data with satellite tags of whales and whale sharks, and say 36.7 per cent and 39 per cent of tag reports respectively were in areas of moderate shipping exposure. 

The researchers say exposure to shipping activity can be harmful for marine mammals, and Australia should consider how shipping routes impact conservation areas.

The full study is accessible here.