HUMPBACK whales have been sighted off the coast of Port Macquarie, signalling the start of their annual migration.
Each year, approximately 40,000 humpback whales leave their Antarctic feeding grounds and travel north to the warmer waters off NSW and Queensland.
The 10,000km round trip allows the whales to either mate or give birth after an 11-month gestation, and to travel in pods before returning south.
The Port Macquarie Coastal Walk has been identified by the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) as one of the Mid North Coast’s key viewing locations.
“We’re incredibly fortunate to have a front-row seat to this extraordinary annual migration [which] we can all observe, right up and down the coast,” said NPWS Marine Wildlife Team Leader Melissa Tan.
“Let’s celebrate the start of whale watching season by appreciating the beauty of the humpback whales while ensuring their safety and protection.”
The migration season also increases the risk of whale entanglements in fishing gear and marine debris.
When this occurs, the NPWS Large Whale Disentanglement Team responds, working from small vessels when conditions are safe.
“Thanks to funding from the NSW Marine Estate Management Strategy, we’re able to work with a huge range of agencies, professionals and volunteers, to undertake research and get the best outcomes for these incredible marine mammals.
“It’s fantastic that humpback whale numbers have bounced back to around 40,000 since the 1960s, when commercial whaling reduced the East Coast Australia population to potentially as few as 100.”
NPWS works with the University of NSW, the Fisheries department, Sea World Foundation, Wild Sydney Harbour and OceanWatch Australia, to examine migration patterns and identify factors linked to entanglements.
NPWS reminds the public to follow regulations designed to minimise disruption to whales.
Boats, surf craft, kayaks and drones must remain at least 100 metres from whales, or 300 metres if using a jetski or if a calf is present.
By Sis HIGGINS
