Southern Right Whale, at last!

Last Friday, 20th June, the first Southern Right Whale of the season was spotted off our cruises! This significant moment broke the two year spell of no Southern Right Whales sighted off Phillip Island.

Growing to 17m and weighing up to 100 tonnes, these enormous and magnificent whales are critically endangered, with only around 5000 individuals believed to be found in the Australian population.

Slow-breeding and slow-moving, these whales are very susceptible to threats and have only recovered slightly since the ban on their hunting in the 60s and 70s. Most years we sight up to 6 whales along Bass Coast and Wilsons Promontory.

They are absolutely fascinating whales, with some unique features that distinguishes them from the more humpback whales:

• No dorsal fin, they ‘bob’ around on the surface more like a giant log
• huge ‘V’ -shaped blow
• growths on their heads called callosities; the pattern of growths are unique to each whale

Southern Rights are usually sighted close to shore and heading West, to their breeding grounds off SW Victoria and southern coast of SA and WA. They seem to prefer shallow and protected bays while resting, hence why they are often seen right behind the breakers.

Wildlife Coast Cruises and our Citizen Scientist Photographers play a crucial role in the protection of these endangered creatures, by recording sightings and photographing the whales for identification. Protecting their throughfares, breeding and feeding grounds, is essential in ensuring a recovery of this fabulous whale.

Images taken by Citizen Scientist Photographers Benjamin Eriksson & Andrew Young.