- Latest News
One of the spinoffs from Cuttlefest 2018 has been the increased sighting of whales off our coast.
With more than 2000 people going out to see the cuttlefish at Stony Point this year, as part of Cuttlefest and privately, there has been the added bonus of some whale watching. This is another good sign for our environment and for the appeal of our region.
City of Whyalla councillor Tim Breuer was one of those people who caught a glimpse of a humpback whale while down at the Stony Point cuttlefish viewing area and managed to grab a quick snap with his phone.
SIGHTING: The picture of a humpback whale off Stony Point captured by Councillor Tim Breuer.
“I’ve been coming down here for 30 years and have seen whales regularly but there seems to be more of them around recently,” Cr Breuer said.
“I’ve talked to people who have travelled here for the cuttlefish and many of them have sighted whales too which is great for the region when they go back home and tell others.”
Senior researcher in mammality at the South Australian Museum, Catherine Kemper said there was no accurate information on whale numbers off Whyalla but there had been an increase in whale spotting reports off the South Australian coast in recent years.
Catherine said the most common whales that could be sighted off Whyalla were the humpback and southern right whales. She said the humpbacks could be distinguished by their long flippers and they were more likely to breach (jump out of the water). Southern right whales have a broad back and no dorsal fin.
“Both humpbacks and southern right whales are big and black but you can tell the difference between them with the humpbacks’ long flippers which they tend to stick out of the water,” Catherine said.
“Also, when a humpback dives, it bends its body like a ‘v’ whereas the southern right whales tend to dive down more smoothly.”
Catherine said the whales were likely to be on their way to warmer northern tropical waters at this time of the year but it still wasn’t clear why they would be in the Spencer Gulf.
“Perhaps they’re just cruising around or have taken a wrong turn,” Catherine said.
With more whales around, the Department for Environment and Water (DEW) has issued a reminder for people to respect these majestic creatures and keep a safe distance.
National Parks and Wildlife Compliance Officer Elise Launer said whales frequent a number of areas along the Eyre Peninsula coast during the winter months.
“It’s amazing to see these animals in their natural habitat, however it’s important that we don’t disturb them, both for their safely and yours,” she said.
“Whales and dolphins that are disturbed may stop feeding or nursing their young. Whales may also alter their migration paths and become displaced from important habitats used for resting, breeding, calving or feeding.
“That’s why there are regulations stipulating safe approach distances for boats, jet skis and drones.
“Jet skis must stay 300m from a whale at all times, and other vessels are required to stay at least 100m from an adult and 300m from a calf.”
Other rules regarding whales and marine mammals can be found in the National Parks and Wildlife (Protected Animals – Marine Mammal) Regulations 2010.
If you see a stranded or entangled marine mammal, or see someone harassing a marine mammal call: Eastern and Southern Eyre Peninsula Duty Ranger: 8688 3223, Western Eyre Peninsula Duty Ranger: 8626 1108 (24 hour), FISHWATCH hotline: 1800 065 522 or the Port Lincoln Natural Resources Centre: 08 8688 3111
LONG FLIPPERS: An example of the humpback whales that are being spotted off the Whyalla coast.
To help make a positive difference, people can become registered whale spotters. Whales can be matched to a data base of photos to identify them from sightings throughout Australia and the world.
The sightings and matching of photos and the distinct markings each whale helps scientists understand the coastal movement patterns to promote conservation management of the endangered species like the southern right whale.
Anyone interested in the citizen science project or in becoming a whale spotter can contact the South Australian Whale Centre on 8551 0750 or go to the http://www.sawhalecentre.com.au/ site where there is a whale logging facility to upload sightings and pictures.
ANOTHER VISITOR: The southern right whale has also been spotted off Whyalla