Friday 19th August 2011

When you take a look at most Australian Whale Watching websites, you are sure to see pictures of Humpback Whales breaching out of the water or showing off their impressive tail flukes as they go on a sounding dive. Humpback whales are the most common whale to encounter on the Eastern coastline of Australia, how ever they are not the only species of whale we see on our cruises.

Over the last few weeks Port Stephens and Nelson Bay has seen an influx of visits with Southern Right Whales. These whales are highly endangered and scientists estimate there may only be 5,000 (five thousand) left in the entire world! Last season (2010) Imagine had visits with around 6 Southern Right Whales, including some newborn calves. This season so far we have had visits with at least 8 Southern Right Whales, including calves and we have heard from the other companies of around 6 more while our boat has been out of the water! Hopefully this means will we get to see a lot more of these friendly whales in the coming years.

The most distinguishing feature of Southern right whales is a series of natural growths called callosities on the front of the rostrum or head. The largest of these callosities is called the ‘bonnet’. Callosities are also found on the whale’s chin, on the sides of the head, on the lower lips, above the eyes, and near the blowholes.

Southern right whale (Eubalaena australis)

Length: Adults: 14 m to 18 m;

Calves: 5 m to 6 m at birth

Weight: Adults: up to 80 tonnes;

Calves: 1 to 1.5 tonnes at birth

Gestation: 11 to 12 months

Weaning age: 11 to 12 months

Calving interval: Generally 3 years

Sexual maturity: Age: 8 to 10 years

Mating season: July to August

Calving season: June to August

Cruising speed: 3 km/hr

Blow pattern: V-shaled bushy blow to 5 m

Protected: Since 1935

Looking at our news updates you might think Imagine hasn’t been out on to many whale watch cruises in August…. well you would be right. The gods haven’t been kind to us during the last two weeks with some engine and gearbox trouble keeping us out of the water…

The good news for Australian whale watching is the humpback whales are still passing Port Stephens in good numbers so now, with the boat back in the water we are sailling out to take a look. There have still been excellent sightings and visits with whales and we have even had a couple of Mothers with their new born calves. The bay’s Bottlenose Dolphins are always about and we are still catching up with the Australian Fur Seals at Cabbage Tree Island

Thanks to Ronnie Shaw for posting the Humpback Whale breaching photo at the top of the post, it’s always good to show the public that guests can get great photos opportunities on board!