Humpbacks spotted off NSW coast as whale watchers adapt to COVID-19
4 years, 7 months ago

Humpbacks spotted off NSW coast as whale watchers adapt to COVID-19

ABC  

Humpback whales have already been spotted off the New South Wales east coast as they move to warmer northern waters. Key points: Whale watching operators kick off for the June long weekend The ORRCA Census Day is planned for June 28 The humpback whale population could be around 40,000 this year But this year's annual migration may be a different experience for whale watchers, with COVID-19 social distancing restrictions meaning there could be fewer boats on the water. Anyone can start to operate from June 1, as long as they adhere to safe social distancing, which is going to make it hard for a lot of operators, said Go Whale Watching's Simon Millar. "At the moment we could technically be running with 10 people if we wanted, but come the 1st of June they've released the numbers up to 50 with 4 square metre social distancing," he said. "And then again you've got the June-July school holidays — they're massive for whale watching — that's a really peak time in the northern migration for the whales."

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History of this topic

Young humpback whale freed from fishing tackle that had entangled its tail in Sydney Harbor
4 months, 2 weeks ago

Young humpback whale freed from fishing tackle that had entangled its tail in Sydney Harbor

Associated Press  

MELBOURNE, Australia — A young humpback whale was freed from fishing tackle that had entangled its tail during an almost 24-hour rescue operation in Sydney Harbor. The juvenile whale immediately began swimming toward the Sydney Heads and the open Pacific Ocean after government wildlife rescuers removed the ropes late Friday morning, Macquarie University whale expert Vanessa Pirotta said. The reality …

Two whales spotted dodging cargo ships in rare Brisbane River sighting
4 months, 4 weeks ago

Two whales spotted dodging cargo ships in rare Brisbane River sighting

ABC  

In a rare and unexpected sight, two mammoth humpback whales have been spotted swimming up the Brisbane River. The pair dodged towering cargo ships on Sunday to make their way through the Brisbane Port, but there's concern that noises from the bustling river's traffic could disorientate them. Manager and researcher at Griffith University's Whales and Climate Program, Dr Olaf Meynecke, …

Rescuers search for humpback whale tangled in ropes, buoys off Gippsland coast
6 months, 2 weeks ago

Rescuers search for humpback whale tangled in ropes, buoys off Gippsland coast

ABC  

In short: A whale tangled in 200 metres of ropes and 11 flotation buoys has gone missing off Victoria's east coast. A whale tangled in 200 metres of ropes and 11 flotation buoys has gone missing off Victoria's east coast. A massive search operation is underway after a humpback whale entangled in ropes and flotation buoys went missing off the …

Humpback whale entangled in fishing rope near Port Macquarie as crews on standby for multiple rescues
6 months, 4 weeks ago

Humpback whale entangled in fishing rope near Port Macquarie as crews on standby for multiple rescues

ABC  

In short: A humpback whale was spotted entangled in a long rope off northern NSW on Sunday, with marine rescue crews hoping to locate it again today, to help free it. A humpback whale was spotted entangled in a long rope off northern NSW on Sunday, with marine rescue crews hoping to locate it again today, to help free it. …

Humpback whale found on beach died after entanglement in creel lines, tests show
1 year, 8 months ago

Humpback whale found on beach died after entanglement in creel lines, tests show

The Independent  

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Whales wave goodbye to Queensland coast as turtle nesting season gets underway
2 years, 2 months ago

Whales wave goodbye to Queensland coast as turtle nesting season gets underway

ABC  

A Queensland tourism operator says visitor numbers are finally back to pre-COVID levels as the whale season wraps up for another year. Key points: Hervey Bay has had a successful tourism whale season, but operators say they have capacity for more visitors Researchers say a citizen science project monitoring the migrating whales has been successful The turtle hatching season is …

Tourism and whale watching on NSW Far South Coast dampened by triple-state lockdown
3 years, 4 months ago

Tourism and whale watching on NSW Far South Coast dampened by triple-state lockdown

ABC  

It's that time of year where whales on the NSW Far South Coast are jumping for joy but lockdowns impacting Sydney, Canberra and Melbourne have prevented tourists from coming to enjoy them. Key points: The whale watching season on the NSW Far South Coast occurs from mid-August through to November Tourists impacted by lockdowns in Victoria, NSW and the ACT …

Trouble in Australia's Humpback Whale Paradise as tourists dry up
4 years, 2 months ago

Trouble in Australia's Humpback Whale Paradise as tourists dry up

China Daily  

Every year, mother and calf humpback whales use Jervis Bay as a rest-stop on their journey between breeding grounds in the north, and Antarctica where they spend the summer feeding. Every year, mother and calf humpback whales use the large, protected bay as a rest-stop on their journey between breeding grounds in the north, and Antarctica where they spend the …

Trouble in Australia's Humpback Whale Paradise as tourists dry up
4 years, 2 months ago

Trouble in Australia's Humpback Whale Paradise as tourists dry up

China Daily  

Every year, mother and calf humpback whales use Jervis Bay as a rest-stop on their journey between breeding grounds in the north, and Antarctica where they spend the summer feeding. Every year, mother and calf humpback whales use the large, protected bay as a rest-stop on their journey between breeding grounds in the north, and Antarctica where they spend the …

Humpback whales stray up crocodile-infested tropical Aussie river
4 years, 3 months ago

Humpback whales stray up crocodile-infested tropical Aussie river

Deccan Chronicle  

Sydney: A trio of humpback whales -- usually bound for Antarctica this time of year -- took a wrong turn, heading up a crocodile-infested north Australian river with scientists hoping Saturday they will all return to the sea safely. Two of the creatures, first seen in the East Alligator River in Kakadu National Park earlier this week, are already believed …

Humpback whale spotted washed onto rocks on NSW Mid North Coast
4 years, 5 months ago

Humpback whale spotted washed onto rocks on NSW Mid North Coast

ABC  

A humpback whale was spotted washed up against rocks on a headland at Hat Head, on the New South Wales Mid North Coast today. Key points: On onlooker says it appears to be struggling and rough and windy conditions A National Parks ranger and ORRCA representative are assessing the situation Sea conditions have been too rough to launch any boats …

Coronavirus halts whale research as unusual humpback activity surges off the Gold Coast
4 years, 8 months ago

Coronavirus halts whale research as unusual humpback activity surges off the Gold Coast

ABC  

A Gold Coast whale expert says coronavirus has brought scientific fieldwork to a standstill, as the first humpbacks of the season are spotted off the city's coastline. Key points: Whales are on the move off the coast of Byron Bay, but researchers can't study them University researchers would normally be surveying the whales at this time of year Land-based observations …

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