Warmer waters bring in rare whale sightings off South Australia's west coast
ABCThe dirt road into the small South Australian hamlet of Fowlers Bay, on the state's west coast, hugs a looming mountain of sand that leads down to crystal-clear water where some of nature's largest creatures play. Key points: Whale season off the west coast of South Australia is in full swing Warmer waters have seen unusual events including southern right whales, humpback whales and sunfish sharing Fowlers Bay The owner-operator of a whale tour company says in recent days he has been seeing pods of humpback whales Southern right whales return to the bay each winter, but over recent years humpback whales and giant sunfish have visited simultaneously – a rare event. Mr Keogh said southern right whale numbers were down due to warmer waters in 2020. "There were low whale numbers, we had six pairs in the year, but we would see sunfish every single day we went out, which was really unique," Mr Keogh said. Warms waters bring big surprises The water temperatures Mr Keogh has recorded of 18 degrees Celsius in the past week may also be attracting humpback whales, he says.
History of this topic
'Whale orgy' off southern Australia a promising sign for southern right species
ABCSouthern right whales return to SA coast with rare white calves in tow
ABCSouthern right whale census records lowest count on southern coastline in years
ABCMarine researchers notice strange whale behaviour off Victoria's coastline
ABCMeet whale whisperer Rod Keogh and the southern rights in his 'front yard' at Fowlers Bay
ABCRare southern right whale calf sighting a thrilling start to NSW far south coast whale watching season
ABCWhale numbers down in aerial survey along Western Australia's southern coast
ABC'Unprecedented' number of humpback whales spotted off Tasmania in bumper migration season
ABC
Trouble in Australia's Humpback Whale Paradise as tourists dry up
China Daily
Trouble in Australia's Humpback Whale Paradise as tourists dry up
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