Whale News - August 2021
It has been an eventful month for Southern Right Whales in Victoria. This season has been characterised by a high number of cow:calf pairs. We have recorded up to 6 different cow:calf pairs at one time and most of these have been recorded outside of the regular nursery at Logans Beach. Based on the timing and location of sightings we believe that there have been several more than 6 pairs this season. Photo-ID matching at the end of the season using images contributed on WhaleFace will clarify this.
Unfortunately, there have also been several reported incidents of whales in trouble this year. A beautiful grey coloured yearling became entangled in rock lobster fishing gear at Narrawong early in August. Due to wild weather and rough seas, DELWP response crews could not remove the gear and it could not be found again. An extensive search was conducted by air, land and sea over 6 days but the entangled whale was not re-sighted. Last week DELWP also responded to reports of a stranding of a cow:calf pair at Corner Inlet in south Gippsland and a vessel strike in Portland harbour. The cow:calf pair at Corner Inlet were found by aircraft to be swimming freely later the same day. The vessel strike was investigated but was not confirmed. All of these incidents highlight just how vulnerable the species when visiting the coastline of south-east Australia.
Cow:Calf Pair at Port Fairy on 10th August 2021, Tammy Patterson
Sighting summary by Area
Below is a list of significant sightings we have received between 13 July – 16 August 2021.
Please note that this sightings summary is preliminary and does not include all data we have received. All data will be finalised at the end of the season when our validating and photo matching/cataloguing takes place.
CC = cow:calf
UA = unacompanied adult (i.e. not with calf)
Logans Beach/Warrnambool area:
At least 1 CC pair in this area on most days, with 2 CC pairs sighted occasionally. Big Coaming’s calf has been active. A number of unaccompanied adults have also been sighted at Logans Beach, with up to 5 UAs at one time on the 25th of July
Yambuk-Portland:
Up to 4 CC pairs using the Narrawong area during this sighting period and a number of UA sightings in this area as well.
Port Fairy:
1-2 CC pairs sighted between the 7th and 11th of August and 1 UA sighted on the 10th of August.
Surf Coast:
1 CC pair at Barwon Heads on the 26th July and Lorne on 1st of Aug. 1-2 UAs sighted near Port Campbell, Apollo Bay, Point Roadknight between the 14th and 23rd of July.
Port Phillip Bay:
2 UAs sighted near Mornington and Mount Martha between the 19th and 21st of July
Gippsland:
1 CC pair at Corner Inlet on 9th and 10th of August.
Happy whale watching!
Mandy and Kasey
