LOCAL whale watching operators are preparing for a bumper season, with a record number of whales expected to migrate along the coast over the coming months.<\/p>\n
Marine scientists estimate more than 50,000 eastern Australian humpback whales now migrate along the NSW coast from Antarctica to North Queensland each season \u2014 around 20,000 more than the estimated pre-whaling population of the early 1900s.<\/p>\n
Wild Byron Sea Safaris owner Glenn Sanders said the first whales of the season had already been spotted passing Byron Bay this week, ahead of tours beginning on 1 June.<\/p>\n
“Every season is unique, and being able to witness these animals on migration from Australia’s most easterly point is always something special,” he said. “Byron Bay offers one of the best vantage points in the country, with a high-volume, condensed migration corridor passing close to shore.<\/p>\n
“During migration, we commonly observe a wide range of behaviours including breaching, tail slapping, pectoral fin waving, spy-hopping, social interactions and mothers travelling with calves later in the season. Depending on conditions, guests can sometimes witness very active surface displays.”<\/p>\n
Wild Byron will also contribute to scientific studies throughout the season, including data collection and behavioural monitoring, in collaboration with organisations such as Happywhale and Dolphin Research Australia.<\/p>\n
“Whale watching also plays a very important role in Byron Bay’s winter tourism economy, attracting visitors from across Australia and overseas during what would otherwise be a quieter seasonal period for the region,” Sanders said.<\/p>\n
Dean Fuchs, from Out of the Blue Adventures, said while a few whales had already been sighted, tours would begin once numbers became more consistent.<\/p>\n
“We get more and more until it peaks around mid to late June,” he said. “When there’s lots of whales there’s lots of action \u2013 they do a lot of breaching and play a lot more, whereas when they’re solo they sing more.”<\/p>\n
Byron Bay Whale Watching director Joshua James said ORRCA’s Whale Census Day on June 28 was a great day to get out and take part in the popular citizen science event.<\/p>\n
“We see so many negative stories about conservation so it’s really nice to have a positive story about the eastern Australian humpback whale population,” he said. “It’s arguably one of the greatest conservation success stories. They’re quite a special population.”<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
LOCAL whale watching operators are preparing for a bumper season, with a record number of whales expected to migrate along the coast over the coming months. Marine scientists estimate more than 50,000 eastern Australian humpback whales now migrate along the NSW coast from Antarctica to North Queensland each season \u2014 around 20,000 more than the […]<\/p>\n