Where are all the whales? Fewer southern rights spotted off Albany coast
4 years, 6 months ago

Where are all the whales? Fewer southern rights spotted off Albany coast

ABC  

Far fewer southern right whales are being spotted off Western Australia's Great Southern coast this winter compared to last year's bumper season. Key points: Fewer southern right whales are being spotted in Albany compared to last year One whale tour operator believes it could be due to the high level of fresh water in King George Sound A marine biologist says it's a normal part of the whales' three-year breeding cycle Southern rights migrate to birth in sheltered bays off southern WA between July and October, but this year they've proven to be a rare sight for Albany's avid whale spotting community. Paul Guest says he believes southern right whales are being deterred by high levels of fresh water in the King George Sound. Whale numbers down on last year Mr Guest said he saw 14 southern right whales at once in the Ataturk Channel, between King George Sound and Princess Royal Harbour, last year. Albany whale tour operator Mark Muscat, however, told the ABC he spotted three pairs of southern right whales in the King George Sound yesterday.

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History of this topic

Whale sightings boom on UK coasts hints at victory for anti-hunting laws - and a climate warning
2 months ago

Whale sightings boom on UK coasts hints at victory for anti-hunting laws - and a climate warning

The Independent  

Sign up to the Independent Climate email for the latest advice on saving the planet Get our free Climate email Get our free Climate email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy A surge in humpback whale sightings reported across the English Channel over the last month …

Southern right whales' life span rises as study reveals blow to northern species
3 months ago

Southern right whales' life span rises as study reveals blow to northern species

ABC  

At opposite ends of the planet, a tale of two whale species has emerged — giving researchers hope and concern in equal measure. It found the southern right whale, which populates oceans around Australia, South Africa, New Zealand and Antarctica, can live much longer than initially thought, with an estimated median age of 73 years. Griffith University whale expert and …

First right whales of season gorge on critical food off Massachusetts, giving hope for a strong year
3 months, 3 weeks ago

First right whales of season gorge on critical food off Massachusetts, giving hope for a strong year

Associated Press  

Scientists who study a critically endangered species of whale that lives off New England said encouraging early signs suggest the animals could have a strong season for feeding and breeding. Scientists with the Center for Coastal Studies in Provincetown, Massachusetts, said they observed the first two right whales of the season in the bay on Nov. 18, and the animals …

'Whale orgy' off southern Australia a promising sign for southern right species
5 months ago

'Whale orgy' off southern Australia a promising sign for southern right species

ABC  

A mating frenzy captured on camera off Western Australia's south coast is a promising sign for southern right numbers still recovering from decades of whaling, according to a marine biologist. Marine biologist Pia Markovic says the mating ritual is more common in southern rights than other whale species. Mating led by female of species Mating can start with a female …

Southern right whales return to SA coast with rare white calves in tow
6 months, 2 weeks ago

Southern right whales return to SA coast with rare white calves in tow

ABC  

It's been an exceptional whale season on the South Australian coast, where the return of southern rights — along with several rare white calves — after a mysterious absence last year is being celebrated by enthusiasts. Southern right whales usually traverse the Eyre Peninsula coastline between May and October each year. Last year, experts said southern right whale numbers on …

Large whale group spotted off New England includes orca eating a tuna, dozens of endangered species
9 months, 1 week ago

Large whale group spotted off New England includes orca eating a tuna, dozens of endangered species

Associated Press  

A large number of whales visiting the waters off New England included an uncommon sighting of an orca eating a tuna and an unusually large group of an endangered species of whale, scientists said. The sightings do not necessarily represent 161 individual whales, because observers could be sighting the same animal more than once, said Teri Frady, the chief of …

Large number of whale sightings off New England, including dozens of endangered sei whales
9 months, 1 week ago

Large number of whale sightings off New England, including dozens of endangered sei whales

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy A large number of whales …

Rare whale found dead off Massachusetts may have been entangled, authorities say
1 year, 1 month ago

Rare whale found dead off Massachusetts may have been entangled, authorities say

Associated Press  

A rare whale found dead off Massachusetts shows potential evidence of injury from entanglement in fishing gear, which is one of the most pressing threats to the vanishing species, federal authorities said. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration said it was notified about the dead female North Atlantic right whale on Sunday off Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts. “Due to the animal’s …

Southern right whale census records lowest count on southern coastline in years
1 year, 6 months ago

Southern right whale census records lowest count on southern coastline in years

ABC  

Southern right whale numbers on Australia's southern coastline could be at a 16-year low, according to a researcher who conducts an annual aerial survey. Key points: Southern right numbers between Fremantle and Ceduna are down by more than 200 on last year There are hopes that a strong breeding season will see a population boost next year An Eyre Peninsula …

Research tracks Australian southern right whales to feeding grounds for first time
2 years ago

Research tracks Australian southern right whales to feeding grounds for first time

ABC  

Whales tagged and tracked off Australia's south coast are travelling thousands of kilometres, a new study has revealed. Key points: Australian southern right whales have been tracked to feeding grounds in the Southern Ocean A project is tracking five whales tagged off southern WA last year Researchers hope it will shed light on the threatened species Scientists tagged five southern …

Explained: What is causing whales to wash up on America's East Coast?
2 years ago

Explained: What is causing whales to wash up on America's East Coast?

Firstpost  

First a North Atlantic right whale, a critically endangered species, washed ashore in Virginia. In all, 23 dead whales have washed ashore along the East Coast since early December, including 12 in New Jersey and New York, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Online pandemic buying habits are also fuelling a record-setting surge in cargo shipments that last …

Marine researchers notice strange whale behaviour off Victoria's coastline
2 years, 3 months ago

Marine researchers notice strange whale behaviour off Victoria's coastline

ABC  

As a pod of "pretty dolphins" pop up next to the research boat David Donnelly is skippering, even the seasoned researchers seem caught by a wave of delight. Mr Donnelly, a marine researcher with the Dolphin Research Institute, has been tracking the movements of dolphins and whales in the waters off Victoria's coast since the 1980s. "It's quite clear that …

Meet whale whisperer Rod Keogh and the southern rights in his 'front yard' at Fowlers Bay
2 years, 4 months ago

Meet whale whisperer Rod Keogh and the southern rights in his 'front yard' at Fowlers Bay

ABC  

Rod Keogh doesn't get a full night's sleep during winter because his "babies" are up in the middle of the night and they're incredibly noisy. It's hard to imagine the postcard-perfect white sandy beach at Fowlers Bay was once stained red with the blood of dozens of mother southern right whales and their calves, that were killed for their oil, …

Rare southern right whale calf sighting a thrilling start to NSW far south coast whale watching season
2 years, 7 months ago

Rare southern right whale calf sighting a thrilling start to NSW far south coast whale watching season

ABC  

The sighting of a southern right whale and her calf along the NSW far south coast has excited locals, photographers and marine experts alike as the whale watching season in the region kicks off. Key points: Both humpback and southern right whales have been spotted off the NSW far south coast A "salt and peppery" coloured southern right calf was …

Warmer waters bring in rare whale sightings off South Australia's west coast
2 years, 8 months ago

Warmer waters bring in rare whale sightings off South Australia's west coast

ABC  

The 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 …

Top whale watching spots along Western Australia's south coast
2 years, 8 months ago

Top whale watching spots along Western Australia's south coast

ABC  

Western Australia's southern coastline offers some of the country's best whale-watching vantage points. Point Ann, Bremer Bay Nestled in the Fitzgerald River National Park, about an hour's drive east of Bremer Bay, Point Ann is renowned for its whale spotting. Blowholes, Albany While it's a great place to witness the ocean's power as water fires through the naturally formed blowholes, …

Whale numbers down in aerial survey along Western Australia's southern coast
3 years, 7 months ago

Whale numbers down in aerial survey along Western Australia's southern coast

ABC  

Fewer-than-expected southern right whales have been spotted during one of Australia's longest-running aerial surveys along WA's south coast. Key points: Fewer whales than expected were recorded during the annual survey between Fremantle and Ceduna The aerial survey was completed by two separate crews in WA and SA this year due to border restrictions Higher than normal freshwater discharge from rivers …

Southern right whale and newborn calf spotted frolicking close to shore at Christies Beach
3 years, 8 months ago

Southern right whale and newborn calf spotted frolicking close to shore at Christies Beach

ABC  

Whale watchers have been treated to a rare show in Adelaide's south on Tuesday when a southern right whale and her calf ventured close to shore. A southern right whale and its calf were spotted at Christies Beach. 'We think this mum has been caught short' Elizabeth Steele-Collins from the Encounter Bay Right Whale Study group said the mother and …

NT scientists weigh up options to help move humpback whales out of Kakadu's East Alligator River
4 years, 6 months ago

NT scientists weigh up options to help move humpback whales out of Kakadu's East Alligator River

ABC  

A team of whale experts from around Australia are considering how to shepherd two humpback whales out of Kakadu's East Alligator River, as concerns mount over the risk of a possible stranding. Key points: Scientists hope they will be able to corral the whales using whale calls or loud noises One expert believes the whales are likely lost and confused …

Citizen scientists' huge effort to monitor Warrnambool and Portland's threatened resident whales
4 years, 8 months ago

Citizen scientists' huge effort to monitor Warrnambool and Portland's threatened resident whales

ABC  

For some, whale watching is a rare novelty during the winter months, but for a group of dedicated citizen scientists who live along Victoria's rugged south-west coast, it's a serious pursuit. Key points: A whale calf and cow pair was spotted at Portland this week Dozens of volunteers contribute photos and other information to help track southern right whales The …

'Astonishing' amount of blue whales are found near Antarctica
5 years, 1 month ago

'Astonishing' amount of blue whales are found near Antarctica

Daily Mail  

The critically endangered blue whale, the largest animal ever to have lived, is making a comeback, marine scientists say. A total of 55 blue whales were sighted or recorded in the past year, according to the British Antarctic Survey, which has been studying whale movements in waters surrounding South Georgia Island in the South Atlantic Ocean. Scroll down for video …

Tracking the giants of the deep in the annual southern right whale survey off Australia's south coast
5 years, 6 months ago

Tracking the giants of the deep in the annual southern right whale survey off Australia's south coast

ABC  

Covering thousands of kilometres in a light plane, an aerial survey is documenting the remarkable recovery of the southern right whale. Between Caiguna in WA and Ceduna in SA, Ms Schmidt and Mr Halsall count 101 adult southern right whales, 77 calves and one humpback whale. Ms Ward says about 2–5 per cent of the population of southern right whales …

Hundreds of whales spotted in New York waters after ‘dramatic’ increase in numbers due to laws to stop pollution
5 years, 9 months ago

Hundreds of whales spotted in New York waters after ‘dramatic’ increase in numbers due to laws to stop pollution

The Independent  

Sign up to the Independent Climate email for the latest advice on saving the planet Get our free Climate email Get our free Climate email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy The number of whales seen off the coast of New York has risen dramatically in …

Baby whale sighting sparks hope for the future of an endangered species
5 years, 11 months ago

Baby whale sighting sparks hope for the future of an endangered species

CNN  

CNN — North Atlantic right whale calves are being spotted again this year, a small ray of light for one of the world’s most endangered large whale species. Two calves were spotted by the Center for Coastal Studies’ aerial survey team in New England’s Cape Cod Bay, bringing the number seen there to three for 2019, the center said last …

Whale spotted in Hobart's River Derwent as heatwave rolls on
7 years, 4 months ago

Whale spotted in Hobart's River Derwent as heatwave rolls on

ABC  

A whale has been spotted off a beach in southern Tasmania, drawing curious residents to the shoreline and in boats. The southern right whale was first spotted early Wednesday morning at Kingston Beach, and enthusiasts posted its location to Whale Spotting Tasmania's Facebook page. Parks and Wildlife believe whale is resting Parks officer Kris Carlyon said from the photos he …

Whale spotters urged to report sightings in 'quiet year' for southern rights
7 years, 4 months ago

Whale spotters urged to report sightings in 'quiet year' for southern rights

ABC  

Tasmania is in the middle of peak whale-watching season, but at least one species has been notably rare. Marine biologist Kris Carlyon takes calls on the Department of Environment's whale hotline, but said fewer southern right whales have been reported since migration began last month. "It's been another relatively quiet year compared to the big year we had in 2012 …

Summer whale watching in California: Where to see blues, humpbacks and even sharks
8 years, 7 months ago

Summer whale watching in California: Where to see blues, humpbacks and even sharks

LA Times  

People think whale-watching season in California is limited to winter when Pacific gray whales migrate from Mexico to Alaska and back. Jim Covel, the director of guest experience training and interpretation at Monterey Bay Aquarium in Monterey, says the food supply is particularly good right now because of upwelling, which is “where cold nutrient-rich water comes up to the surface …

Sightseers urged to maintain their distance as southern right whale frolics at Avalon Beach in Sydney's north
9 years, 7 months ago

Sightseers urged to maintain their distance as southern right whale frolics at Avalon Beach in Sydney's north

ABC  

Authorities are urging people to maintain their distance from a southern right whale frolicking off Avalon Beach in Sydney's north. New South Wales Parks and Wildlife Service said it was not concerned about the whale's position in shallow waters off the beach, as they often swim close to shore. "The whale was at Avalon, it then moved to Newport, and …

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