Boom in whale numbers migrating along the northern beaches coastline
As thousands of humpback whales currently migrate along the northern beaches coastline, a whale expert has said there are early signs of an increase in the majestic creatures heading north.
Manly
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There appears to be a case of congestion on the humpback highway with thousands more whales hugging the northern beaches as they head north to their breeding grounds.
Jonas Liebschner, from Whale Watching Sydney, said early reports from beyond the Heads showed a continued growth in numbers of the migrating humpbacks this season.
“We are seeing around an extra 10 per cent each year,” he said. “This year so far appears to be around the same increase.
“I started doing this 11 years ago when there were around 10,000 whales migrating up the east coast. Now there are 30,000.”
Whale breach?
Nobody knows for certain why whales breach, but there are several theories, Mr Liebschner explains.
It is a way of communicating as often one breach is followed by another not so far away.
It is a way of looking around as often they have their eyes open when out of the water.
They are trying to smash the barnacles that have attached onto them.
They are just showing off.
Whale Watching Sydney has four boats a day leaving Darling Harbour and Circular Quay in search of the kings of the ocean. And with us heading into peak whale watching season, they are rarely disappointed.
“On average we are seeing 10 to 20 whales per trip,” Mr Liebschner added. “Our aim is not to see as many as possible when we are out there. If it was we could probably see 50 each trip.”
Mr Liebschner explained the whales stay close to the coast because they want to take advantage of the fast moving currents.
“They don’t really eat anything on their migration north, they use their fat reserves. So they seek out the currents to save energy.”
The whale watching season begins in May as the humpbacks head up the east coast from waters in the south to breeding grounds around the equator.
Late June and early July is the peak season.
The whales then return south with their calves in October and November.
Sydney Whale Watching customers from the northern beaches can get a free ferry back to Manly with their ticket.
For details visit: whalewatchingsydney.com.au.