The Southern Right Whale Eubalaena australis is a species which has been brought to the brink of extinction in the first half of the 19th Century due to commercial whaling. It is the only member of the family Balaenidae in the Southern Hemisphere, although it is closely related to two northern hemisphere species (Eubalaena japonica and Eubalaena glacialis) but it is reproductively isolated by geographic separation of calving grounds and asynchronous breeding seasons.
The Southern Right Whale is one of the mysticete or baleen group of whales but does not have the pleated throat and ventral groves that are a feature of whales in the family Balaenopteridae.
The Southern Right Whale has an average length of 16m (weighing about 50 tonnes) and a distinctive, bulky blue-black or dark brown rotund body, which features obvious white markings (callosities) around the mouth, above the eyes and on top of the head. The pattern of these skin growths is unique to each animal and is used for photo identification of individual whales.
Distribution
The Southern Right Whale has circumpolar distribution in the Southern Hemisphere occurring between latitudes of approx. 30-60 0S, they are known to occur in coastal waters of South America, South Africa, New Zealand and some oceanic islands but populations of Southern Right Whales in Australia are genetically distinct from other southern hemisphere populations.
In Australia, Southern Right Whales are recorded along the southern coastline from Perth to Sydney including Tasmania. The National Conservation Management Plan for Southern Right Whale 2011 - 2021 recognises two genetically distinct Australian stocks, South Eastern Australian and South Western Australian..
In 2008 the entire the population which spans across the Southern Hemisphere was estimated to be 7500 with up to 2100 frequenting Australian waters (DEWHA 2007, IUCN 08). In 2012 the overall Australian Southern Right Whale population (South-west and South-east) was estimated to be 3,500 (National Conservation Management Plan for Southern Right Whale 2011 - 2021).
It was thought that the many of the populations across the Southern Hemisphere had had a general overall increase of about 7% per year but the status of the south-east Australia population (Victoria, South Australia, Tasmania and New South Wales) appears not to have exhibited the same rate of increase, placing them in a more vulnerable situation. The South-western Australian population is currently estimated at 2,900 and the South-eastern population only 200 - 300 whales.
Habitat & ecology
In Australia, Southern Right Whales have an annual migration between summer feeding grounds in the sub-antarctic waters of the Southern Ocean to more temperate inshore waters inshore waters off the coast of southern Western Australia, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria and occasionally New South Wales.
During what is termed the 'over-wintering months' (May to November) they have a tendency to frequent certain coastal areas where localised aggregations occur and during this time breeding, calving and rearing of young takes place. It is estimated that 95% of the total Australian population over-winters at the head of the Great Australian Bight in South Australia.
Through the development of marine bioregional plans, Biologically Important Areas (BIAs) have been identified for southern right whales. These are areas are important for the conservation of protected species and are considered to support biologically-important behaviours of the Southern Right Whale e.g. calving, foraging, resting or migration. Thirteen Southern Right Whale coastal aggregation areas have been identified in Australia, three of which are in Victoria (Portland, Port Fairy/Warrnambool and Port Campbell/Peterborough). The Port Fairy/Warrnambool area is identified as an established small BIA and the Portland and Port Campbell area identified as emerging BIA’s.
Aggregations of Southern Right Whales in Australia
Source: National Conservation Management Plan for Southern Right Whale 2011 - 2021).
The Southern Right Whale is thought to have about a 60 year life span. Following mating the gestation period is about 11-12 months, pregnant cows give birth to one calf (about 5.5 meters in length) once every three years. Lactating females fast for at least four months while providing milk for calves. Southern Right Whales are not known to feed in Australian waters, their feeding grounds are further south (40-600 S) but rarely observed near the Antarctic pack-ice. They feed primarily on copepods and post-lavae of Munida gregaria and occasionally the larger Euphausia sp. krill, but are not considered to compete against other baleen whales for food.
The waters east of Warrnambool known as Logans Beach have proven to be a regular site where calving and rearing takes place. It could be considered the only true nursery area in Australian waters. Females show a strong fidelity for frequenting calving sites. Whales can arrive from May onwards and females with young can remain in this nursery area up until October or early November. At present it is not known why this area or other favoured areas are repeatedly chosen and what factors constitutes suitable habitat at these sites.
Threats
Southern Right Whales were hunted close to extinction; the Australian industry reached its peak in 1837 and was considered to be in a state of collapse by 1840. Continued hunting in the summer feeding grounds further reduced the population to a point where it became extremely rare and no longer commercially viable, by 1935 it was protected by an international agreement at which time the worldwide population was estimated to be only about 1000 animals.
The slow but steady recovery in recent years is promising, however a number of new threats have emerged since the cessation of whaling for this species. Threats can impact on both individual whales and to some extent the broader population as humans develop more innovative and intense ways of utilising marine ecosystems. Current threats include; noise from marine industries such as gas and oil off-shore exploration and development, entanglement in commercial fishing gear, interference in nursery areas form unmanaged eco-tourism, collision with ships, ingestion of pollutants from oil spills and marine debris such as plastics. Changes to marine ecosystems and potential impacts on the availability of suitable plankton for food may emerge as issues related to global warming.
Management Actions applicable to Victoria
Genetic Research
Taking biopsy samples under strict conditions to determine genetic differentiation.
There is now evidence of significant differentiation between South Africa, South America, Australia (WA) and New Zealand haplotype and nucleotype levels (Patenaude et al 2007). Further genetic work between 2001 – 2009 involved data collection from South Eastern Australia which was coordinated by DEPI with support of state and commonwealth funding (AMMC).
Analysis of mitochondrial DNA from 56 samples from New Zealand, Western Australia, South Australia, Victoria and New South Wales found:
Levels of genetic diversity in the South East Australian population was high and comparable with South West Australia
There are significant difference in mt DNA between South East and South West Australia and New Zealand
The amount of differentiation between the two Australian populations is greater than either compared with New Zealand
(Carroll et al 2011)
In 2014, further work was carried out with an expanded sample size (94 whales) which also included Tasmania. Preliminary results indicate a confirmed significant mt DNA differentiation between South East and South West populations and differences between states detected using microsat data which is being investigated further.
Photo Identification
Features used in photo identification, based on terms used by (Bannister 1990).
Each Southern Right Whale has its own unique pattern of white markings (callosities) covering the head area which is used for photo identification (see diagram, based on Bannister 1990). There are four major identification catalogues in Australasia, (South-east Australia, Head of Great Australian Bight, Western Australia and New Zealand). Workshops are held every two to three years at which time photos are matched to assess population size, structure and movement.
The South-eastern Southern Right Whale photo-identification catalogue was established in 2002. It is a multi-government agency project which is co-ordinated by DEPI, Warrnambool. The project is supported by Commonwealth and State based threatened species funding.
Examples of individual whales which have been identified by matching the unique pattern of white markings (callosities) covering the head area over repeated seasons. Source: SEA SRW PIC Catalogue - Warrnambool.
Key findings from photo ID:
There are a small number of regular breeding females identified from Logans Beach (less than 15).
There are very few long-range movements detected within the South-east region
Sightings of whales have been carried out by the DEPI at Warrnambool since 1985. Between 1985 to 2012, 69 calves have been born at Logans Beach, Warrnambool with an average of 2 per year. The most born in one year was 6 calves in 1985. Records indicate no discernible increasing trend. These results combined with the photo identification work suggests that the South-eastern population is small, isolated and therefore very vulnerable compared to other populations which have recorded a 7% increase per year.
Across Victoria, the location of whale sightings is highly variable and usually with a short residency period. The areas of highest density are Portland, Port Fairy and Warrnambool (Logans Beach), Port Campbell Peterborough.
The majority of first sightings in western Victoria1 occur in May (54%) and June (42%). The majority of last sightings in western Victoria occur in September (50%) and October (38%) but there may be an increasing trend towards October with last sightings occurring in 7 out of last 10 years in October.
The earliest sighting on record was at Portland on 22 April 2006. The latest sighting on record was also at Portland on 27 October 2010.
An unusual sighting of a 'white' Southern Right Whale off Port Fairy 27 July 2011 taken by Mandy Watson, DEPI, Warrnambool as part of the Victorian Whale monitoring program.
Cow and calf pairs (records 2001 - 2011)
Eastern
Central
Western
Aerial Survey
The first full population surveys of the South-east Australian region to obtain abundance estimates commenced in August 2013 and were conducted privately by Balaenidae. These surveys used the same methodology which has been used in South-west Australia since the 1970’s.
The aerial surveys involve long coastal flights conducted between Ceduna and Sydney including Tasmania over 7 days to count numbers of Southern Right Whales. A population model is based on the number of cow/calf pairs and assumes;
each reproductive female is recorded on the coast only once in 3 years
sex ratio of the population is 1:1
ratio of immature to mature is 1.41:1- based on the 1998 Cape Town assessment meeting estimate (IWC, 2001)
The 2013 total population estimate was 189 (assuming same numbers of females each year for 3 years) or adjusted to 201 (assuming contiguous with WA). A 2014 survey was completed but the data has not yet been collated.
A minimum of 3 years survey is required to obtain a more accurate snapshot of population abundance.
Southern Right Whale calf survival, recruitment and movement study
A new study into Southern Right Whale calf survival, recruitment and movement commenced at Logans Beach in late August 2017. The study involves using Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS) or drones to obtain clear dorsal images of the callosity patterns of the calves and their mothers. The images collected will be used to identify, record and follow individual calves.
Using photo-identifications of calves born this year, the study hopes to find them again on the Australian coast during future winter breeding seasons. This information will be critical to understanding what factors may be affecting Southern Right Whale population growth and distribution in SE Australia. Ninety calves have been recorded at Logans Beach since the early 1980's but it’s not known what happens to these calves once they leave the coast and migrate to their sub-Antarctic feeding grounds.
The data being collected will be added to the South East Australian Southern Right Whale Photo-Identification Catalogue (SEA SRW PIC).
The research, funded with support from the Victorian Government is a partnership between DELWP regional staff and DELWP’s Arthur Rylah Institute (ARI). A research permit (no. 10008394) under Section 78 (1) (c) of the Wildlife Act 1975 and Animal Ethics approval (AEC 17-006) were obtained for this project allowing us to operate the RPAS closer to whales than is normally allowed. In accordance with the Wildlife (Marine Mammals) Regulations 2009, RPAS or ‘drone’ operators are normally required to keep their craft a distance of at least 500m above and 500m horizontally from a whale. DELWP sourced fully qualified and experienced RPAS pilots and systems for this research and flights were conducted in accordance with CASA regulations. Close monitoring of whales was undertaken during RPAS flights to detect any behavioural responses to the RPAS.
Management Actions for conservation of the Southern Right Whale in Victoria
The Conservation Management Plan for the Southern Right Whale 2011 – 2021 states that 'conservation management for Southern Right Whales needs to be based around the existence of two populations in Australian waters with different recovery rates'. This emphasises the poor recovery of the South-eastern Southern Right Whale population and the need to do more to secure its long term future.
Research
Collaborate with national investigations into population structure and movement, including DNA sampling and photographic identification of individuals annually.
Monitoring
Enlist the support of the wider community including fishermen in reporting of the location of whales to assist photo-id missions, monitoring and entanglement management.
Monitor and record whale sightings at Logans Beach with particular emphasis on arrival, calving and departure dates.
Monitor whales during season for possible entanglements with fishing gear and marine debris.
Management
Enforce the provisions of the Wildlife Act 1975 and the Wildlife (Whales) Regulations 1998 governing whale-watching activities and thus achieve greater protection from human disturbance.
Implementation of Logans Beach exclusion zone between 1 June and 31 October each year where all vessels are banned from the area which is used for calving and rearing of juvenile whales.
Conduct annual disentanglement training.
Provide information to coastal shipping management to ensure it is aware of the potential for whale-ship collisions during the early winter and late spring migration seasons.
Prepare & implement media releases at both state and local levels, to ensure that the public is informed about threats to the species. Provide and maintain up-to-date displays & interpretation material as required.
Negotiate the incorporation of protection measures for the species in development proposals particularly off-shore oil and gas exploration.
Develop guidelines and policy for the protection of whales from impact of noise in Victorian coastal waters, including drilling and seismic testing and development of infrastructure such as drilling platforms, pipe laying and associated shipping.
Provision of viewing platforms at Logans Beach to facilitate land based viewing of whales.
References:
Bannister, J.L. (1990). Southern Right Whales off Western Australia. Southern Right Whale aerial survey and photo-identification, southern Australia.
Warneke, R.M. (1995), Southern Right Whale: In Mammals of Victoria: distribution, ecology and conservation, Ed. Menkhorst, P.W., published by Oxford University Press.
Minimum distances for approaching whales, dolphins and seals in Victoria
Swimmer or Surfer
Recreational Vessel
Jet Ski
Aircraft
Dolphin
30 m
100 m
300 m
#500 m
Whale
50 m
200 m
300 m
#500 m
Seal on land 30 m
#Licensed marine mammal tour operators can approach within 300 m with aircraft.
Special protections zones exist at several sites along the Victorian coastline which have more stringent minimum distances regulated under the WILDLIFE (MARINE MAMMALS) REGULATIONS 2009
Vessel operator safety around whales. Source: Department of Environment, Land, Water & Planning Victoria, May 16, 2018
Note: photographs used on this page were taken under permit and with the use of high magnification telephoto lens to comply with whale watching regulations.
Highlights of whale sightings between 23 July to 17 August 2011
This summary of sightings between 23 July to 17 August 2011 was compiled from information provided by Mandy Watson, Senior Natural Resource Management Officer - Biodiversity, Department Sustainability and Environment, 78 Henna St Warrnambool 3280, Phone: (03) 55619961. Contact Mandy Watson for more detailed daily reports.
The Warrnambool Whale Watch Volunteer Project was made possible with the assistance of 22 volunteers.
The first sighting of a Southern Right Whale off Victoria's south west coastline for 2011 was 10 May at Logans Beach near Warrnambool.
Between 23 July and 17 August there have been many sightings of Southern Right Whales along the south-west coast of Victoria. Several sighting have included cow and calf pairs. Sightings are likely to continue until the end of October, possibly into early November.
Between 23 July and 18 August 2011 a cow and calf pair has been sighted virtually every day at Logans Beach, Warrnambool. Between 12 -17 August there was also another single sub-adult Southern Right Whale present.
Other interesting dates
23 July - Logans Beach; 3 x Southern Right Whales (including 1 x cow and calf pair and regular 'Big Lips')
23 July - 27 Jul -Port Fairy Bay; up to 6 Southern Right Whales including one grey
27 July - Codrington; 2 x Southern Right Whales
27 July - Portland; 1 x Southern Right Whale
28 July - Logans Beach; 4 x Southern Right Whales (including 1 x cow and calf pair and 2 adults)
30 July - Logans Beach 1 x Humpback Whale heading east
2 Aug - Port Fairy; 2 x Southern Right Whales
4 Aug - Cape Nelson; 1 x Southern Right Whales cow and calf pair plus 1-2 x Southern Right Whales adults
5 Aug - Bridgewater Bay; 1 x Southern Right Whale
5 Aug - Portland Bay; 2 x Southern Right Whales, adults (including 'White')
7 Aug - Portland harbour; 1 x adult Southern Right Whale
17 Aug - Cape Otway; unconfirmed reports of up to 5 Southern Right Whales off Light Station on 17 and 18 Aug and 3 in Portland harbour on 18 August.
On 4 August two Humpback Whales were sighted at Barwon Heads and another two at Port Phillip Heads. On 13 August 1 pod of Humpback Whales were seen in Port Phillip Bay. On 17 August 2-3 Humpback Whales were seen at Portland.
Last SRW Whale sighting at Logans Beach 28 August 2011.
Logans Beach conclusions
Overall it was a quiet season with bad weather throughout June and July making observations difficult.
Total number of individual whales = 16 minimum.
At least 2 possibly 3 x cow calf pairs at Logans Beach during the season.
Tripod present 10 May – 27 Aug (16 weeks = 109 days, calf = approx 12 weeks)
Mating groups observed on 3 dates 1 Jul, 16 Jul, 20 Jul
Maximum number of individual whales on a given day = 6 (including 1 x cc pair) at Logans Beach recorded on 1 July and 16 July.
Photo-ID results:
2 flights between Port Campbell and Bridgewater 27 July and 24 August.
27 July; 9 whales photographed (4 Port Fairy – SAG including one light grey, 2 Codrington – including Big Lips Checkerboard, 1 Portland, 2 Logans Beach – Tripod and calf)
24 August; 4 whales photographed (2 Bridgewater Bay – including ‘Bumps’, 2 Discovery Bay – Tripod and calf).
Matching against catalogue yet to be done.
Summary 2012
The first sightings of Southern Right Whales occurred on 17 May 2012 at Barwon Heads. Since then there have been regular sightings along the south west Victorian coastline. Confirmed sightings of pairs of Southern Right Whales have occurred at Port Fairy, Logans Beach, south east of Portland, at Portland, Cape nelson. Four Southern Right Whales were recorded at Narrawong on 6 July. A confirmed Humpback Whale sighting was recorded at Cape Nelson on 4 July. There have been unconfirmed sightings of Humpbacks and Southern Right Whales reported off Bridgewater Bay, Cape Otway and Lorne during June-July.
Summary 2013
The first confirmed sightings of Southern Right Whales in Victoria occurred on 28 May 2013 at Port Fairy and the first cow and calf pair was recorded at Logans Beach on 9 June 2013. The last sightings for the season were on 5 October with a cow and calf pair at Logans Beach.
This year Southern Right Whales were observed at numerous sites along the Victorian coastline with validated sightings at Port Fairy, Portland, Bridgewater, Cape Nelson, Logans Beach, Port Fairy, Narrawong, Killarney, Apollo Bay, Lorne, Anglesea, Bells Beach, Jan Juc, Ocean Grove, Phillip Island, Wilsons Promontory, Lake Tyres, Cape Conran, Tamboon Inlet and Wingan Inlet.
A survey conducted on 31 August counted a total of 28 southern right whales in Victoria. These were located at Bridgewater, Logans Beach and far East Gippsland
Cow and calf pair sightings were made at Logans Beach, Port Campbell, Anglesea, Wilsons Promontory and near Lorne but Logans Beach was clearly Victoria's most important location with regular cow and calf sighting from July through to early October. There were numerous days when three cow and calf pairs were observed. During August up to five cow and calf pairs were present with 16 whales counted at Logans Beach on 28 August.
By using photo-matching it has been found that two of the three mothers are regular Warrnambool females. One of the females called 'Big Lips' was recorded with a calf at Logans Beach in 1995, 2002, 2005, 2009, 2013. The other female named 'Long Coaming' has been recorded with a calf at Logans Beach in 2001, 2006, 2009 and 2013.
Summary 2014
This summary was provided by Mandy Watson, Senior Natural Resource Management Officer - Biodiversity, Environment, Natural Resources and Fisheries, Barwon South West Region, Department of Environment and Primary Industries, Victoria.
Highlights
21 May first confirmed sighting - Cape Nelson.
28 May first Logan’s Beach sighting.
16 – 20 June first recorded calf - Portland.
3 July calf - Narrawong Beach (mother ID ‘Lotsadots’/SE0103) Pair resident at Logan’s Beach 11 Jul - 30 Jul. Also seen at Rutledge’s Cutting 4 & 5 Aug and Bridgewater 8 Aug, 25 Aug.
3 Aug calf - Portland (mother ID pending) - seen once.
15 Aug calf - Logan’s Beach (mother ID ‘Patch’s Mum’/SE0907). Mother seen without calf at Logan's Beach 22 Jul - 27 Jul and at Rutledge's Cutting 4 Aug. Pair resident at Logan's Beach 15 Aug - 26 Aug, last seen at Rutledge's Cutting 27 Aug.
22 Aug 3 x calves & 3 x single adults – Wilson’s Prom, 4 x single adults far East Gippsland (ID's pending).
30 Aug & 4 Sept calf - Anglesea/Barwon Heads (mother ID unknown).
7 Sept calf - Portland (mother ID pending).
12 Sept calf - Logan’s Beach (mother ID ‘Fang’/SE0402) Mother seen at Logan’s Beach without calf 25 Aug - 9 Sept. Pair resident at Logan's Beach 12 Sept - 12 Oct.
12 Oct last confirmed sighting - Logan’s Beach (‘Fang’ and calf).
A minimum total of 10 cow:calf pairs were confirmed during the 2014 season across the Victorian coast. 6 were recorded in the Warrnambool - Portland area, 1 in the Anglesea - Barwon Heads area and 3 at Wilson's Promontory. The last calf recorded at Logan's Beach this year was born between 9 - 12 Sept making it the latest calf on record.
Movements of individual whales have been documented courtesy of the DEPI photo-identification matching project (SEA SRW PIC) with ID contributions from a range of sources. The project acknowledges contributions of the Warrnambool Whale Watch volunteers and data contributors; P. Read, C. Farrell, Deakin University, B. McPherson, and M. Hartney.
This summary was provided by Many Watson(DELWP) 03 55 619961.
It's been a reasonably good season across the Victorian coast with plenty of opportunity to view southern right whales with from the Logans Beach viewing platform. Two Logans Beach regulars known as Big Coaming and Tripod were present with their calves throughout the months of July and August.
Big Coaming arrived on 18 June and was first spotted with her calf on 7 July. Tripod arrived on 7 July with her calf. It is estimated by their size that both calves were born around the beginning of July. Tripod and her calf left the area in late August followed by Big Coaming and her calf in early September. Both of these females have been identified (from the callosity pattern on the head) as having visited Logans Beach in at least 4 previous seasons. Tripod was first identified in 1995 and Big Coaming was first identified in 2001.
In addition to our resident females and calves a small number of single southern right whales made brief visits to Logans Beach. The maximum daily count at Logans Beach occurred on 16 August with 6 southern right whales (two cow:calf pairs plus 2 single adults) observed.
There were also numerous reports of travelling humpback whales and resting southern right whales in many of the usual bays along the coast throughout the season. Some unusual sightings this year include;
A juvenile humpback whale in Corio Bay Geelong on 2 July
A southern right whale in the bay at Port Campbell on 19 and 20 July
A pod of killer whales spotted off Wilson's Prom on 1 July
A sperm whale seen off Cape Otway on 26 Sept
A humpback whale seen feeding off Portland in early during late Sept or early Oct (other details not available)
Weekly summaries
Below is a list of the confirmed reports from Department of Environment, Water, Land and Planning (DEWLP), Mandy Watson, Senior Biodiversity Officer.
We have had a lot of reports so far and of particular interest is the return of two of our regular female Southern Right Whales to the Logan's Beach nursery, Warrnambool and the safe arrival of their calves last week. These females are known as 'Big Coaming' and 'Tripod' based on their callosity patterns (individually unique white features on their heads)
Whale sightings summary (update issued 17 July 2015):
27 May Portland 1 x Humpback Whale (HBW)
31 May Logans Beach 1 x Southern Right Whales (SRW)
7 June Port Fairy 2 x HBW
9 June Portland 2 x HBW
13 June Logans Beach 3 x HBW
15 June Logans Beach 1 x SRW (sub-adult)
16 June Warrnambool 1 x SRW (sub-adult)
18 June Logans Beach 4 - 5 HBW
18 June Logans Beach 1 x SRW
19 June Logans Beach 1 x SRW (identified as Big Coaming)
22 June Logans Beach 1 x SRW (Big Coaming)
24 June Logans Beach 1 x SRW (Big Coaming)
25 June Logans Beach 1 x SRW (Big Coaming)
26 June Logans Beach 1 x SRW (Big Coaming)
27 June Logans Beach 1 x SRW (Big Coaming)
28 June Logans Beach 1 x SRW (Big Coaming)
29 June Logans Beach 1 x SRW (Big Coaming)
30 June Logans Beach 1 x SRW (Big Coaming)
1 Jul Wilson's Promontory light station 1 + Killer Whales
2 Jul Portland 1 x SRW
2 Jul Lake Gillear 1 x SRW
2 Jul Geelong 1 x HBW
3 Jul Portsea back beach 2 x HBW
6 Jul Bridgewater 2 x SRW
6 Jul Portsea back beach 1 + HBW
7 Jul Portland 4 x SRW
7 Jul Bridgewater 3 x SRW
7 Jul Peterborough 3 x HBW
8 Jul Princetown 6 + HBW
7 Jul Logans Beach 4 x SRW (1 x CC pair Big Coaming & min 2 others)
8 Jul Logans Beach 4 x SRW (2 x CC pairs Big Coaming & unidentified)
9 Jul Port Fairy 3 x SRW
11 Jul Portland 2 x SRW
11 Jul Logans Beach 4 x SRW (2 x CC pairs Big Coaming & Tripod)
13 Jul Logans Beach 3 x SRW (1 x CC pair Big Coaming & single adult)
14 Jul Portland 1 x SRW
14 Jul Logans Beach 3 x SRW (1 x CC pair Big Coaming & single adult)
16 Jul San Remo 1 x SRW
16 Jul Logans Beach 5 x SRW (2 x CC pairs & single adult)
SRW = Southern Right Whale HBW = Humpback Whale CC = Cow:Calf pair
Confirmed whale sightings for the week ending 24 July 2015 (update issued 27 July 2015)
19 Jul Logans Beach 5 x SRW (2 x CC pairs & single adult)
19 Jul Port Campbell 2 x SRW
20 Jul Logans Beach 4 x SRW (2 x CC pairs Big Coaming and Tripod)
20 Jul Port Campbell 1 x SRW
20 Jul Cape Nelson 3 x SRW
20 Jul Sorrento back beach 2 x HBW
21 Jul Logans Beach 4 x SRW (2 x CC pairs Big Coaming and Tripod)
21 Jul Sorrento back beach 1 x HBW
22 Jul Logans Beach 4 x SRW (2 x CC pairs Big Coaming and Tripod)
23 Jul Logans Beach 4 x SRW (2 x CC pairs Big Coaming and Tripod)
24 Jul Logans Beach 4 x SRW (2 x CC pairs Big Coaming and Tripod)
24 Jul Port Fairy 2 x HBW
There are unconfirmed reports of southern right whales at Apollo Bay and Aireys Inlet over the weekend and a pod of killer whales near Port Campbell last Tuesday. Further information is being obtained to confirm these reports. If anyone has photos of further information regarding these unconfirmed reports please contact Mandy Watson (DEWLP) 03 55 619961.
Confirmed whale sightings for the week ending 31 July 2015
25 Jul Logans Beach 4 x SRW (2 x CC pairs Big Coaming and Tripod)
26 Jul Logans Beach 4 x SRW (2 x CC pairs Big Coaming and Tripod)
27 Jul Logans Beach 4 x SRW (2 x CC pairs Big Coaming and Tripod)
27 Jul Wilson's Promontory 2 x SRW
28 Jul Logans Beach 4 x SRW (2 x CC pairs Big Coaming and Tripod)
28 Jul Apollo Bay 2 x SRW
29 Jul Logans Beach 4 x SRW (2 x CC pairs Big Coaming and Tripod)
29 Jul Cape Paterson 1 x SRW
30 Jul Logans Beach 4 x SRW (2 x CC pairs Big Coaming and Tripod)
31 Jul Logans Beach 4 x SRW (2 x CC pairs Big Coaming and Tripod)
Unconfirmed reports for week ending 31 July 2015
There are several unconfirmed reports of southern right whales in the Lorne/Stony Creek/Airey's Inlet area during the week. If anyone has information regarding these unconfirmed reports please contact Mandy Watson (DELWP) 03 55 619961.
Belated reports for week ending 24 Jul
22 Jul Wilson's Promontory 1 x SRW
Confirmed whale sightings for the week ending 7 August 2015
1 Aug Logans Beach 4 x SRW (2 x CC pairs Big Coaming and Tripod)
2 Aug Logans Beach 4 x SRW (2 x CC pairs Big Coaming and Tripod)
2 Aug 1 x SRW Port Fairy
2 Aug 1 x SRW Portland
3 Aug Logans Beach 4 x SRW (2 x CC pairs Big Coaming and Tripod)
4 Aug Logans Beach 4 x SRW (2 x CC pairs Big Coaming and Tripod)
5 Aug Logans Beach 4 x SRW (2 x CC pairs Big Coaming and Tripod)
6 Aug Logans Beach 4 x SRW (2 x CC pairs Big Coaming and Tripod)
7 Aug Logans Beach 4 x SRW (2 x CC pairs Big Coaming and Tripod)
SRW = Southern Right Whale HBW = Humpback Whale CC = Cow:Calf pair
Confirmed whale sightings for the week ending 14 August 2015
7 Aug Warrnambool 1 x HBW
8 Aug Logans Beach 4 x SRW (2 x CC pairs Big Coaming and Tripod)
9 Aug Logans Beach 4 x SRW (2 x CC pairs Big Coaming and Tripod)
10 Aug Logans Beach 4 x SRW (2 x CC pairs Big Coaming and Tripod)
10 Aug Pearl Point east Gippsland min 2 x SRW
11 Aug Logans Beach 4 x SRW (2 x CC pairs Big Coaming and Tripod)
12 Aug Logans Beach 4 x SRW (2 x CC pairs Big Coaming and Tripod)
13 Aug Logans Beach 4 x SRW (2 x CC pairs Big Coaming and Tripod)
14 Aug Logans Beach 4 x SRW (2 x CC pairs Big Coaming and Tripod)
Confirmed whale sightings for the week ending 21 August 2015
15 Aug Logans Beach 4 x SRW (2 x CC pairs Big Coaming and Tripod)
16 Aug Logans Beach 6 x SRW (2 x CC pairs Big Coaming and Tripod plus 2 adults)
16 Aug Seaspray 2 x SRW
17 Aug Logans Beach 4 x SRW (2 x CC pairs Big Coaming and Tripod)
17 Aug Port Fairy 1 x SRW
18 Aug Logans Beach 4 x SRW (2 x CC pairs Big Coaming and Tripod)
19 Aug Logans Beach 4 x SRW (2 x CC pairs Big Coaming and Tripod)
20 Aug Logans Beach 4 x SRW (2 x CC pairs Big Coaming and Tripod)
Confirmed whale sightings for the week ending 28 August 2015
21 Aug Logans Beach 4 x SRW (2 x CC pairs Big Coaming and Tripod)
22 Aug Logans Beach 4 x SRW (2 x CC pairs Big Coaming and Tripod)
22 Aug Ninety Mile Beach 2 x SRW
23 Aug Logans Beach 4 x SRW (2 x CC pairs Big Coaming and Tripod)
23 Aug Portland 1 x SRW
24 Aug Logans Beach 4 x SRW (2 x CC pairs Big Coaming and Tripod)
25 Aug Logans Beach 4 x SRW (2 x CC pairs Big Coaming and Tripod)
26 Aug Logans Beach 4 x SRW (2 x CC pairs Big Coaming and Tripod)
27 Aug Logans Beach 4 x SRW (2 x CC pairs Big Coaming and Tripod)
Confirmed whale sightings for the week ending 4 September 2015
29 Aug Logans Beach 4 x SRW (2 x CC pairs Big Coaming and Tripod)
30 Aug Logans Beach 3 x SRW (1 x CC pair Big Coaming plus single adult)
31 Aug Logans Beach 2 x SRW (1 x CC pair Big Coaming)
1 Sept Logans Beach 2 x SRW (1 x CC pair Big Coaming)
2 Sept Logans Beach 2 x SRW (1 x CC pair Big Coaming)
3 Sept Logans Beach 2 x SRW (1 x CC pair Big Coaming)
4 Sept Logans Beach 2 x SRW (1 x CC pair Big Coaming)
Confirmed whale sightings for the week ending 11 September 2015
5 Sept Logans Beach 2 x SRW (1 x CC pair Big Coaming)
6 Sept Logans Beach 3 x SRW (1 x CC pair Big Coaming plus single adult)
7 Sept Logans Beach 3 x SRW (1 x CC pair Big Coaming plus single adult)
8 Sept Logans Beach 3 x SRW (1 x CC pair Big Coaming plus single adult)
9 Sept Logans Beach 2 x SRW (1 x CC pair Big Coaming)
10 Sept no sightings
11 Sept no sightings
Confirmed whale sightings for the week ending 18 September 2015
No confirmed sightings reported to DELWP over the last week.
This summary of sightings between 16 May to 29 August 2016 was compiled from information provided by Mandy Watson, Senior Project Officer Wildlife Emergencies|Biodiversity Division Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning, 703 - 709 Raglan Parade, Warrnambool 3280, Phone: (03) 55619961.
Official volunteer whale watching commenced in April 2016 with a slow start to the season. The first unconfirmed whale sighting was on 7 April at Port Fairy and the first confirmed Southern Right Whale sighting for the season being on 21 May at Apollo Bay.
Only two Southern Right Whale females with calves were recorded in Victorian waters this season. Both of these were matched with previously identified females in the SE Australian photo-ID catalogue (SEA SRW PIC).
One of these females, known as 'Bonnet' is a regular from Logans Beach, having been recorded there with calves in 2002 and 2009. 'Bonnet' arrived at Logans Beach amongst a group of other adults on 10 July and disappeared the following day. She re-appeared at Logan's Beach on 18 July with a calf, but again stayed for only one day. She was not identified again until 7 August where she was photographed at Skene's Creek, although a female with calf had been reported in the Lorne area on 5 August. 'Bonnet' and her calf re-appeared at Logans Beach on 20 August and were last seen there on 22 August.
The other female with calf was recorded at Portland and is relatively new to the catalogue. She has only been recorded once before - in Tasmania - also with a calf. This female was first reported to DELWP with a calf on 19 July at Portland and the pair was regularly observed there (mostly off Dutton Way), until 29 August, a total minimum of 42 days.
In addition to the two nursing females a large mating group of up to 7 adult southern right whales appears to have moved up and down the coast through the season. These whales were first reported at Logans Beach on 10 July, then at Port Fairy on 16 and 18 July. It appears they may have moved east from there, as mating groups were seen at Wye River on 24 July and Point Addis on 27 July. Up to 7 were seen at Port Fairy on 16 and 17 August, and 5 were seen at Portland on 22 August. Photo-ID matching has not yet been completed to confirm if these were all part of the same group, but the behaviours, locations and sequence of sightings would suggest they were. Interestingly a large mating group showed up in the Encounter Bay area in South Australia at the end of August.
Other interesting sightings include;
a large pod of Killer Whales at Flinders on 4 July.
a young Southern Right Whale approaching a whale watching vessel at Phillip Island on 9 July
a pair of Southern Right whales near Mallacoota 6 - 7 August.
Southern Right Whale (cow and calf pair) at Portland on 5 August 2016. Image: Bob McPherson
2016 Weekly summaries
These are confirmed reports from Department of Environment, Water, Land and Planning (DEWLP), Mandy Watson, Senior Biodiversity Officer.
Confirmed whale sightings for the week ending 12 July 2016
16 May Mallacoota 1 x Killer Whale
21 May Apollo Bay 1 x SRW
5 Jun Portland 2 x SRW
13 Jun Phillip Island 1 x SRW
13 Jun Skenes Creek 1 x SRW
15 Jun Cape Patton 2 x HBW
19 Jun Port Phillip Bay 1 x SRW
4 Jul Phillip Island and Mornington Peninsular 15 x Killer Whales
9 Jul Phillip Island 1 x SRW
10 Jul Logans Beach 4 x SRW
11 Jul Logans Beach 1 x SRW
12 Jul Portland 3 x SRW
Confirmed whale sightings for the week ending 22 July 2016
16 Jul Port Fairy 4 x SRW
18 Jul Port Fairy 4 - 5 x SRW
18 Jul Logans Beach 1 x CC pair SRW
18 Jul Flinders 1 - 2 x SRW
19 Jul Portland 1 x CC pair SRW
20 Jul Portland 1 x CC pair SRW
21 Jul Portland 1 x CC pair SRW
22 Jul Portland 1 x CC pair SRW
SRW = Southern Right Whale HBW = Humpback Whale CC = Cow:Calf pair
Confirmed whale sightings for the week ending 29 July 2016
23 Jul 1 x CC pair SRW Portland
24 Jul 1 x CC pair SRW Portland
24 Jul 2 -3 x Adult SRW Wye River
25 Jul 1 x CC pair SRW Portland
27 Jul 1 x CC pair SRW Portland
27 Jul 4-5 x SRW Adults Point Addis
28 Jul 1 x CC pair SRW Portland
29 Jul 1 x CC pair SRW Portland
Confirmed whale sightings for the week ending 5 August 2016
30 Jul 1 x SRW Logans Beach
30 Jul 1 x SRW CC pair Portland
30 Jul 3 x SRW Lorne
31 Jul 1 x SRW CC pair Portland
3 Aug 1 x SRW CC pair Portland
4 Aug 1 x SRW CC pair Portland
4 Aug 2 x SRW Lorne
5 Aug 4 x SRW Lorne (2 adults & 1 x CC pair)
5 Aug 1 x SRW CC pair
Confirmed whale sightings for the week ending 12 August 2016
5 Aug 1 x SRW CC pair Big Tree Hill
5-8 Aug 2 x SRWs at Mallacoota
6 Aug 5 x SRW Apollo Bay (Adults in mating group)
7 Aug 1 x SRW CC pair Skene's Creek
7 Aug 1 x SRW Logans Beach (sub-adult)
7 Aug 1 x SRW CC pair Portland
9 Aug 1 x SRW CC pair Portland
10 Aug 1 x SRW CC pair Portland
11 Aug 1 x SRW CC pair Portland
12 Aug 1 x SRW CC pair Portland
The whale identification catalogue and contributions from volunteer photographers has enabled Mandy to identify two cow:calf pairs that we currently have on our coast. Firstly the female with calf near Lorne has been identified as 'Bonnet', a whale who has been recorded at Logans Beach with calves in two previous years; 2002 and 2009. The female with a calf at Portland does not have a name but was identified in Tasmania 3 years ago where she was photographed with a calf at Southport on the far south east coast. This whale is new to the Victorian photo-identification catalogue.
Confirmed whale sightings for the week ending 19 August 2016
12 Aug 2 x HBW Logans Beach
12 Aug 1 x SRW CC pair Separation Creek
13 Aug 1 x SRW CC pair Portland
14 Aug 1 x SRW CC pair Portland
15 Aug 2 x SRW Logan's Beach
15 Aug 1 x SRW CC pair Portland
16 Aug 1 x SRW CC pair Portland
16 Aug 5 x SRW Port Fairy
17 Aug 7 x SRW Port Fairy
18 Aug 7 x SRW Port Fairy
18 Aug 1 x SRW CC pair Portland
SRW = Southern Right Whale HBW = Humpback Whale CC = Cow:Calf pair
Confirmed whale sightings for the week ending 26 August 2016
20 Aug 1 x SRW CC pair Logans Beach
20 Aug 1 x SRW CC pair Portland
21 Aug 3 x SRW Adults Yambuk
22 Aug 1 x SRW CC pair Logans Beach
22 Aug 1 x SRW CC pair plus 3 x Adults SRW Portland
24 Aug 2 x SRW Portland
25 Aug 1 x SRW CC pair Portland
A two-metre long juvenile male Pygmy Right Whale (Caperea marginata) was found washed up dead at The Cutting near Killarney Beach west of Warrnambool on 26 August.
Confirmed whale sightings for the week ending 2 Septmber 2016 (final report for 2016)
27 Aug 1 x SRW CC pair Portland
28 Aug 1 x SRW CC pair Portland
29 Aug 1 x SRW CC pair Portland
SWIFFT wishes to thank Mandy and the volunteers for their sightings and confirmation of reports.
Results from the 2016 photo-ID matching for the South East Australian Photo Identification Catalogue (SEA SRW PIC) project.
Summary from Mandy Watson, Senior Biodiversity Officer, Barwon South West - Forest, Fire and Regions, Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning
A total of 23 photographed sightings 'events' were received from different 14 contributors from Victoria and NSW during the 2016 season. From these 23 events, 14 different whale IDs were obtained. Of the 14 IDs, twelve were whales which are new to the catalogue and two were whales from previous years. Both of these re-sights involved cow and calf pairs, one known as 'Bonnet' a regular from Logans Beach and one which spent this season at Portland was first identified in Tasmania in 2013. The remaining 12 whales were adults without calves.
19 of the 23 photographed sightings events involved the remaining 12 IDs, which means that some whales were photographed on more than one occasion at more than one location. One whale photographed near Gabo Island in far East Gippsland was photographed again off Kilcunda in South Gippsland 8 days later. 5 whales ID'd this year were part of a large mating group which moved west along the Victorian coast from Anglesea to Apollo Bay to Port Fairy then Yambuk over a 3 - 4 week period.
This photo-ID research provides valuable insights into habitat use and population trends within South East Australia.
Mandy acknowledges the valuable contributions received from observers which is fundamental to the project's success.
Summary of 2017 Whale season in Victoria adapted from information provided by Mandy Watson, Senior Biodiversity Officer, Barwon South West, Department of Environment, Water, Land and Planning (DEWLP).
2017 has been one of the biggest years on record for both Southern Right Whale and Humpback Whales in western Victoria with sightings reported from early May through to late October.
Summary of key dates in 2017
7 May - first Southern Right Whale sightings for the season at Cape Bridgewater and Logans Beach.
22 May onwards - almost daily sightings of Southern Right Whales at Logans Beach.
23 May – a regular breeding female, 'Big Lips' was identified
3 June - 'Big Lips' was photographed with a calf.
4 June - a second cow and calf pair at Logans Beach. The mother named 'Thin Lips' was previously recorded at Logans Beach in 2013.
1 July – a third cow and calf pair at Logans Beach. The mother named 'Long Coaming' is another Logans Beach regular.
7 July – a fourth cow and calf pair at Logans Beach. The mother named 'No Lips Black' is new to Logans Beach but was previously recorded in Tasmania in 2009.
9 Aug - 5 cow:calf pairs were observed at Logans Beach. The 5 th cow:calf pair being new to the catalogue.
22 Aug - 6 pairs were recorded; The 6 th cow:calf pair being new to the catalogue.
13 August – a different cow:calf pair reported in the Killarney area. This pair settled at a small bay known as The Basin for the remainder of the season and were the last of the cow:calf pair to leave western Victoria. They were last spotted near The Basin on 25 September.
22 October - the last Southern Right Whale sighting for the season was a single sub-adult seen at Cape Nelson near Portland.
Mandy extends thanks to all the whale watch volunteers and data contributors who provided information to support the Southern Right Whale research program in 2017.
Results from the 2017 photo-ID matching for the South East Australian Photo Identification Catalogue (SEA SRW PIC) project.
The photo-identification research program recorded seven different nursing females in south west Victoria this year, along with a number of single (or unaccompanied) whales. Four of the nursing females are re-sights from previous years while three are new to the photo-ID catalogue. A number of the unaccompanied whales seen at Logans beach were sub-adults and unusually, there was extended interaction over days and weeks observed between these young whales and the nursing females and their calves. Separate socially active groups of adults were also observed on numerous days at both Logans Beach and around Portland.
Summary
56 sightings events contributed by citizen science
32 individual whales identified
28 new whales added to the catalogue and 4 re-sights (identified in previous seasons) added to the catalogue, including Logans Beach regular breeding females; Big Lips, Long Coaming and Thin Lips and a female first identified in Tasmania in 2009 - No Lips Black. Between them, these 4 females have produced a minimum of 14 calves at Logans Beach.
Big Lips - 6 calves
Long Coaming - 5 calves
Thin Lips - 2 calves
No Lips Black - 1 calf
Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS) project
This year the DELWP Southern Right Whale photo-identification research program incorporated the use of remotely piloted aircraft systems (RPAS) or 'drones'. It is hoped that this technology can improve our understanding of calf survivorship in SE Australia. Ninety calves have been recorded at Logans Beach since the 1980’s but it is not known what happens to these calves once they leave. In the past I have not been able to track calves born at Logans Beach as they are generally too small for their callosity patterns to be photographed clearly from aircraft.
12 of the 28 new whales identified this year were photographed during over a 2-day period. This pilot project focussed on calf identification and produced high quality images with incredible efficiency. The project has improved our understanding of the mechanisms and rate of change in the appearance of calf callosity patterns in the first months of life. It is hoped this research will continue during 2018.
While drones are not normally allowed within 500 meters of whales, this year DELWP was granted a research permit to operate drones closer to whales. The research was carried out under strict conditions around the proximity and amount of time that the drones were allowed near the whales.
Calf of a new female named 'Left Bar' at Logans Beach. Image taken with RPAS as part of the calf survival assessment project. Callosity patterns (white markings) are analysed to identify individual whales - Image: Southern Right Whale Research Project.
Citizen Science
2017 was a hugely successful year for citizens science contributions to the SE Australian SRW Photo-identification research project. Twenty five members of the whale watching community from Victoria, South Australia and NSW provided data on 56 sighting events. This data resulted in 16 new whales for the catalogue plus 36 documented sightings of 18 of the 32 new whales identified.
Weekly sightings 2017
These are confirmed reports from Department of Environment, Water, Land and Planning (DEWLP), Mandy Watson, Senior Biodiversity Officer, Warrnambool.
Confirmed whale sightings to 10 May 2017
4 May Cape Nelson 2 x Blue Whales
7 May Logans Beach 1 x SRW
7 May Bridgewater Bay 1 x SRW
7 May Bridgewater Bay 1 x Killer Whale
9 May Cape Nelson 1 x SRW
10 May Bridgewater Bay 1 x SRW
Confirmed whale sightings to 10 May 2017
16 May Tidal River Wilson's Promontory 1x Pygmy Sperm Whale mother and calf pair, stranded alive but both died despite rescue efforts.
Confirmed whale sightings to 26 May 2017
22 May *Logan's Beach 1 x SRW - tracked east to Thunder Pont then to Rutledge's Cutting then back to Warrnambool same day
23 May *Logan's Beach 2 x SRW (1 x adult and 1 x sub-adult interacting)
24 May *Logan's Beach 1 x SRW
24 May Port Campbell 1 x SRW
25 May *Logan's Beach 1 x SRW
26 May Jan Juc 1 x SRW
26 May *Logan's Beach 1 x SRW
* All Logan's Beach sightings have involved the same adult whale.
Confirmed whale sightings to 2 June 2017
28 May Rye back beach 1 x HBW
Confirmed whale sightings to 9 June 2017
The 2017 breeding season in SW Victoria has officially started with the arrival of two calves at Logans Beach last weekend (3 & 4 June). Both mother:calf pairs seem to have settled into the nursery where it is hoped they remain for the season.
Mandy Watson (DELWP) has confirmed that one of these pairs is a Logans Beach regular female known as 'Big Lips' and her newborn calf. Big Lips has been previously recorded 7 times at Logans beach and is known to have produced at least 6 calves here. Work on identifying the other female is underway to see if she is known to the photo-ID catalogue or is a new whale.
3 June Logans Beach 1 x SRW CC pair
3 June Logans Beach 2 x HBW heading east
4 June Logans Beach 2 x SRW CC pairs
4 June Portland 1 x SRW
5 June Logans Beach 2 x SRW CC pairs
6 June Logans Beach 2 x SRW CC pairs
7 June Logans Beach 2 x SRW CC pairs
8 June Logans Beach 2 x SRW CC pairs
9 June Logans Beach 2 x SRW CC pairs
Confirmed whale sightings to 16 June 2017
It's been another big week for whales in Victoria with daily sightings of the 2 Southern Right Whale cow calf pairs at Logans Beach plus sightings of other Southern Right whales at Lorne and Portland.
With the help of local photographers, Mandy has been able to identify two individual whales at Logans Beach. One female being ‘Big Lips’ and the second female identified as 'Thin Lips'. Both 'Big Lips' and 'Thin Lips' were at Logans Beach with calves in 2013. This is interesting because the normal calving interval is 3 years not 4. 2013 was a big year for calves at Logans Beach; 5 were recorded that year. It is possible that more females and calves could arrive at Logans Beach this season.
There has also been a big spike in the number of Humpback Whales seen along the coast this past week. These whales are all headed up the east coast as part of the annual Humpback Whale migration from Antarctic waters to the waters of northern Queensland.
9 June Portland 2 x SRW
9 June Lorne 1 x SRW
10 June Logans Beach 2 x SRW CC pairs
11 June Logans Beach 2 x SRW CC pairs
11 June Logans Beach 6 x HBW
11 June Portland 5 x HBW
11 June Lorne 2 x HBW
12 June Logans Beach 2 x SRW CC pairs
12 June Logans Beach 12 x HBW
13 June Logans Beach 2 x HBW
13 June Logans Beach 2 x SRW CC pairs
14 June Logans Beach 2 x SRW CC pairs
14 June Logans Beach 2 x HBW
15 June Logans Beach 2 x SRW CC pairs
SRW = Southern Right Whale HBW = Humpback Whale CC = Cow:Calf pair
Confirmed whale sightings to 22 June 2017
Mandy Watson has advised that she has received anecdotal reports of many more Humpback whales than what is reported below, as well as reports of unidentified species. Unfortunately these cannot be entered into the sightings database unless they are confirmed so please send images to Mandy where possible.
Below is a list of confirmed sightings reports over the past week:
15 June Point Hicks, East Gippsland 13 x HBW
16 June Port Phillip Bay 2 x HBW
16 June Bridgewater, The Blowholes 6 x HBW
16 June Logans Beach 2 x SRW CC pairs
17 June Logans Beach 2 x SRW CC pairs
17 June Pyramid Rock, Phillip Island 1 x SRW
17 June London Bridge, Portsea 1 x HBW
18 June Logans Beach 2 x SRW CC pairs
19 June Logans Beach 2 x SRW CC pairs
20 June Logans Beach 2 x SRW CC pairs
20 June Logans Beach 2 x HBW
21 June Logans Beach 5 x SRW (2 x CC pairs, 1 adult)
22 June Logans Beach 5 x SRW (2 x CC pairs, 1 adult)
SRW = Southern Right Whale HBW = Humpback Whale CC = Cow:Calf pair
Confirmed whale sightings to 30 June 2017
22 June Point Nepean 3 x HBW
23 June Logans Beach 5 x SRW (2 x CC pairs, 1 adult)
24 June Logans Beach 2 x SRW (1 x CC pair)
25 June Logans Beach 3 x SRW (1 x CC pair, 1 x adult)
26 June Logans Beach 3 x SRW (1 x CC pair, 1 x adult)
27 June Logans Beach 5 x SRW (1 x CC pair, 3 x adult)
28 June Logans Beach 5 x SRW (1 x CC pair, 3 x adult)
28 June Portland 1 x SRW
28 June Phillip Island 1 x SRW
29 June Logans Beach 7 x SRW (2 x CC pairs, 3 x adult)
29 June Logans Beach 3 x HBW
30 June Logans Beach 7 x SRW (2 x CC pairs, 3 x adult)
Confirmed whale sightings to 7 July 2017
1 July Logans Beach 7 x SRW (3 x CC pair, 1 x adult)
1 July Port Fairy 1 - 2 x SRW (possibly CC pair)
1 July Portland 2 x SRW
2 July Logans Beach 10 x SRW (3 x CC pair, 4 x adults)
2 July Cape Nelson 4 x HBW
3 July Logans Beach 8 x SRW (3 x CC pair, 2 x adult)
3 July Portland 5 x SRW
3 July Port Fairy 1 x SRW
4 July Logans Beach 9 x SRW (3 x CC pair, 3 x adult)
5 July Logans Beach 9 x SRW (3 x CC pair, 3 x adult)
6 July Logans Beach 10 x SRW (3 x CC pair, 4 x adult)
6 July Logans Beach 15 x HBW
6 July Warrnambool 2 x HBW
7 July Logans Beach 11 x SRW (3 x CC pair, 6 x adult)
Confirmed whale sightings to 14 July 2017
8 July Logans Beach 10 x SRW (3 x CC pair, 4 x adult)
9 July Logans Beach 10 x SRW (3 x CC pair, 4 x adult)
9 July Portsea back beach 2 - 3 HBW
10 July Logans Beach 8 x SRW (3 x CC pair, 2 x adult)
11 July Logans Beach 8 x SRW (3 x CC pair, 2 x adult)
12 July Logans Beach 11 x SRW (3 x CC pair, 5 x adult)
14 July Logans Beach 11 x SRW (3 x CC pair, 5 x adult)
14 Juy Portland 1 x SRW
14 July Cape Woolamai 1 x SRW
Confirmed whale sightings to 21 July 2017
15 July Logans Beach 11 x SRW (3 x CC pair, 5 x adult)
15 July Port Campbell 2 - 3 HBW
15 July Portsea 2 x HBW
16 July Logans Beach 9 x SRW (3 x CC pair, 3 x adult)
16 July Point Addis 2 x HBW
Confirmed whale sightings to 28 July 2017
18 July Logans Beach 11 x SRW (4 x CC pair, 3 x adult)
19 July Logans Beach 11 x SRW (4 x CC pair, 3 x adult)
20 July Logans Beach 11 x SRW (4 x CC pair, 3 x adult)
20 July Apollo Bay 1 x SRW
21 July Logans Beach 14 x SRW (4 x CC pair, 6 x adult)
21 July The Crags 15 x HBW
Confirmed whale sightings to 4 August 2017
22 July Logans Beach 11 x SRW (4 x CC pair, 3 x adult)
22 July Port Fairy 4 x SRW
23 July Logans Beach 12 x SRW (4 x CC pair, 4 x adult)
23 July Port Fairy 4 x SRW
24 July Port Fairy 4 x SRW
24 July b/w Somers and Cowes 2 x SRW
25 July Port Fairy 2 x SRW
27 July Portland 3 x SRW
30 July Western Port Bay 3 x SRW
31 July Cowes 3 x SRW
2 Aug Logans Beach 12 x SRW (4 x CC pair, 4 x adult)
3 Aug Logans Beach 14 x SRW (4 x CC pair, 6 x adult)
3 Aug Cape Nelson 1 x SRW adult
4 Aug Portland 2 x SRW adult
4 Aug Logans Beach 14 x SRW (4 x CC pair, 6 x adult)
Confirmed whale sightings to 11 August 2017
5 Aug Logans Beach 10 x SRW (4 x CC pair, 2 x adult)
5 Aug San Remo 2 x SRW (1 x CC pair)
6 Aug Logans Beach 12 x SRW (4 x CC pair, 4 x adult)
7 Aug Logans Beach 12 x SRW (4 x CC pair, 4 x adult)
9 Aug Logans Beach 17 x SRW (5 x CC pair, 7 adult)
10 Aug Logans Beach 12 x SRW (4 x CC pair, 4 x adult)
10 Aug Port Fair 1 x SRW adult
10 Aug Portland 5 x SRW adult
11 Aug Logans Beach 13 x SRW (5 x CC pair, 3 x adult)
Confirmed whale sightings to 18 August 2017
12 Aug Logans Beach 8 x SRW (4 x CC pair)
13 Aug Logans Beach 8 x SRW (4 x CC pair)
13 Aug Armstrong Bay 2 x SRW (1 x CC pair)
13 Aug Port Campbell 2 x SRW (2 x adult)
14 Aug Logans Beach 10 x SRW (4 x CC pair, 2 x adult)
14 Aug Armstrong Bay 2 x SRW (1 x CC pair)
15 Aug Logans Beach 8 x SRW (4 x CC pair)
15 Aug Walkerville 3 - 7 x SRW
15 Aug Armstrong Bay 2 x SRW (1 x CC pair)
16 Aug Logans Beach 8 x SRW (4 x CC pair)
17 Aug Logans Beach 8 x SRW (4 x CC pair)
17 Aug Peterborough 2 x SRW (2 x adult)
18 Aug Logans Beach 10 x SRW (5 x CC pair)
Confirmed whale sightings to 25 August 2017
19 Aug Logans Beach 15 x SRW (7 x CC pair, 1 x adult)
20 Aug Logans Beach 13 x SRW (6 x CC pair, 1 x adult)
20 Aug Cape Nelson 1 x SRW adult
21 Aug Logans Beach 11 x SRW (5 x CC pair, 1 x adult)
22 Aug Logans Beach 16 x SRW (6 x CC pair, 4 x adult)
23 Aug Logans Beach 15 x SRW (5 x CC pair, 5 x adult)
24 Aug Logans Beach 13 x SRW (5 x CC pair, 3 x adult)
24 Aug Armstrong Bay 2 x SRW (1 x CC pair)
24 Aug Portland 1-2 x SRW
25 Aug Logans Beach 12 x SRW (5 x CC pair, 2 x adult)
25 Aug Killarney 2 x SRW (1 x CC pair)
Confirmed whale sightings to 8 September 2017
1 Sept Logans Beach 11 x SRW (5 x CC pair, 1 x adult)
1 Sept Armstrong Bay 2 x SRW (1 x CC pair)
2 Sept Logans Beach 13 x SRW (5 x CC pair, 3 x adult)
2 Sept Port Albert South Gippsland 2 x SRW adults
3 Sept Logans Beach 9 x SRW (4 x CC pair, 1 x adult)
3 Sept Portland 2 x SRW adults
4 Sept Logans Beach 11 x SRW (4 x CC pair, 3 x adult)
4 Sept Cape Nelson 2 x SRW adults
5 Sept Logans Beach 3 x SRW (1 x CC pair, 1 x adult)
6 Sept Logans Beach 4 x SRW (1 x CC pair, 2 x adult)
Confirmed reports from Department of Environment, Water, Land and Planning (DEWLP), Mandy Watson, Senior Biodiversity Officer, Warrnambool.
Confirmed whale sightings to 15 June 2018
4 May Portland 1 x Blue Whale
19 May Portland 1 x SRW
20 May Portland 1 x SRW
24 May Portland 1 x SRW
28 May Phillip Island 1 x SRW
29 May Phillip Island 1 x SRW
1 June Logans Beach 4 x HBW
2 June Port Fairy 2 x HBW
3 June Logans Beach 3 x HBW
6 June Portland 1 x SRW
6 June Portland 1 x HBW
6 June Port Phillip Bay 2 x HBW
7 June Peterborough 1 x SRW adult
7 June Phillip Island 2 x SRW
8 June Logans Beach 1 x HBW
8 June Anglesea 2 x SRW
8 June Portland 1 x SRW
9 June Logans Beach 2 x HBW
9 June Portland 2 x SRW (1 sub adult)
10 June Phillip Island 1 x SRW
11 June Warrnambool 8 x HBW
11 June Portsea 2 X SRW
Confirmed whale sightings received by DELWP to 22 June 2018
16 June Portland 1 x SRW
18 June Portland 2 x SRW
19 June Logans Beach 1 x SRW
20 June Cape Nelson 2 x HBW
21 June Logans Beach 2 x SRW
21 June Logans Beach 3 x HBW
21 June Port Fairy 2 x SRW
22 June Portland 2 x HBW
22 June Logans Beach 1 x SRW
22 June Cape Nelson 1 x Humpback Whale
Photographs taken by a recently trained citizen scientist have enabled the identification of a whale seen at Logans Beach on 19th, 21st & 22nd June 2018 to be one of the regular breeding females. This whale, named 'Odd Lips' for her uneven lip callosities (seen in the image below taken on 13 Aug 2009). This female was first photographed with a calf in 2009 and again in 2014. She is expected to calve again in the coming days and remain in the region for the next 3 - 4 months.
Image of Southern Right Whale (named 'Odd lips') taken at Tyrendarra 13 Aug 2009. Source: Mandy Watson, DELWP.
Confirmed whale sightings to 29 June 2018
The first Southern Right Whale calf of the season was confirmed at Portland after receiving some wonderful photos from local photographers.
· 28 June Logans Beach 1 x Southern Right Whale · 28 June Portland 3 x Southern Right Whale · 28 June Portland 2 x Southern Right Whale · 28 June Portland 2 x Humpback Whale · 27 June Logans Beach 1 x Southern Right Whale · 27 June Portland 2 x Southern Right Whale · 26 June Portland 4 x Southern Right Whale · 26 June Portland 2 x Southern Right Whale (Cow Calf pair) · 26 June Portland 2 x Southern Right Whale · 25 June Portland 2 x Southern Right Whale (Cow-Calf pair) · 25 June Logans Beach 3 x Southern Right Whale · 24 June Warrnambool 1 x Humpback Whale · 24 June Port Fairy 1 x Southern Right Whale · 24 June Portland 2 x Southern Right Whale (Cow-Calf pair) · 24 June Portland 1 x Southern Right Whale · 24 June Portland 2 x Southern Right Whale · 23 June Portland 2 x Southern Right Whale · 23 June Portland 2 x Humpback Whale
Confirmed whale sightings to 6 July 2018
30 June Portland 2 x Southern Right Whale (Cow - Calf pair)
1 July Portland 3 x Southern Right Whale
1 July Portland 3 x Southern Right Whale
2 July Logans Beach 1 x Southern Right Whale
2 July Phillip Island 1 x Southern Right Whale
3 July Portland 3 x Southern Right Whale
3 July Bridgewater 2 x Southern Right Whale
3 July Phillip Island 1 x Southern Right Whale
Confirmed whale sightings to 13 July 2018
The breeding female known as 'Odd Lips' has been seen around the South-west coast for weeks has finally been spotted at Logans Beach with a calf. This is the first recorded calf at Logans Beach this season.
It’s also been a wonderful week for whale watchers in Portland, with a very active Southern Right Whale mother and calf spotted every day!.
8 July Portland 2 x Southern Right Whale (Cow - Calf pair)
9 July Portland 2 x Southern Right Whale (Cow - Calf pair)
10 July Portland 1 x Humpback Whale
10 July Portland 2 x Southern Right Whale (Cow - Calf pair)
11 July Portland 2 x Southern Right Whale (Cow - Calf pair)
11 July Port Fairy 2 x Southern Right Whale
11 July Logans Beach 2 x Southern Right Whale (Cow - Calf pair)
12 July Portland 1 x Southern Right Whale
12 July Portland 1 x Humpback Whale
12 July Portland 2 x Southern Right Whale (Cow – Calf pair) 13 July Portland 5 x Humpback Whale
13 July Cape Bridgewater 2 x Humpback Whale
13 July Port Fairy 1 x Southern Right Whale
13 July Cape Bridgewater 2 x Humpback Whale
13 July Warrnambool 1 x Humpback Whale
Confirmed whale sightings to 20 July 2018
· 14 July Torquay 1 x Humpback Whale · 14 July Portland 2 x Southern Right Whale · 14 July Warrnambool 2 x Southern Right Whale (cow - calf pair) · 14 July Logans Beach 2 x Southern Right Whale (cow - calf pair) · 14 July Portland 2 x Southern Right Whale (cow - calf pair) · 14 July Portland 3 x Southern Right Whale · 15 July Portland 1 x Southern Right Whale · 15 July Portland 2 x Southern Right Whale (cow - calf pair) · 15 July Warrnambool 2 x Southern Right Whale (cow - calf pair) · 15 July Logans Beach 2 x Southern Right Whale (cow - calf pair) · 15 July Yambuk 2 x Southern Right Whale (cow - calf pair) · 15 July San Remo 3 x Southern Right Whale · 16 July Port Fairy 2 x Southern Right Whale · 17 July Cape Nelson 3 x Southern Right Whale · 17 July Portland 2 x Southern Right Whale (cow - calf pair) · 19 July Portland 2 x Southern Right Whale
Confirmed whale sightings to 27 July 2018
There was also a thrill for whale watchers on Phillip Island with a pod of Killer Whales sighted multiple times on 20 July.
21 July Phillip Island 1 x Humpback Whale
21 July Warrnambool 2 x Southern Right Whale (cow - calf pair)
21 July Logans Beach 2 x Southern Right Whale (cow - calf pair)
22 July Phillip Island 2 x Humpback Whale
22 July Tyrendarra 7 x Southern Right Whale (2 x cow – calf pairs, 3 additional adults)
23 July Logan’s Beach 2 x Humpback Whale
23 July Portland 1 x Humpback Whale
23 July Phillip Island pod of Killer Whales
24 July Ocean Grove 2 x Southern Right Whale
24 July Lakes Entrance 2 x Southern Right Whale (cow - calf pair)
24 July Logans Beach 2 x Southern Right Whale (cow - calf pair)
25 July Cape Bridgewater 4 x Southern Right Whale
25 July Logans Beach 2 x Southern Right Whale (cow - calf pair)
26 July Torquay 1 x Southern Right Whale
26 July Bridgewater 2 x Southern Right Whale
26 July Tyrendarra 2 x Southern Right Whale
26 July Narrawong 3 x Southern Right Whale (cow - calf pair, 1 additional adult)
26 July Logans Beach 2 x Southern Right Whale (cow - calf pair)
26 July Narrawong 2 x Southern Right Whale (cow - calf pair)
26 July Bridgewater 1 x Southern Right Whale (grey morph)
27 July Cape Nelson 2 x Southern Right Whale
27 July Logans Beach 2 x Southern Right Whale (cow - calf pair)
27 July Cape Schank 1 x Southern Right Whale
27 July Portland 2 x Southern Right Whale
27 July Phillip Island 1 x Humpback Whale
Confirmed whale sightings to 3 August 2018
28 July Bridgewater Bay 2 x Southern Right Whale
28 July Cape Nelson 4 x Humpback Whale
28 July Surrey River 2 x Southern Right Whale (cow - calf pair)
28 July Warrnambool 2 x Southern Right Whale (cow - calf pair)
28 July San Remo 1 x Southern Right Whale
28 July Phillip Island 1 x Humpback Whale
28 July Narrawong 2 x Southern Right Whale (cow – calf pair)
29 July Phillip Island 2 x Southern Right Whale
31 July Portland 2 x Southern Right Whale
1 August Portland 3 x Southern Right Whale
1 August Portland 2 x Southern Right Whale (cow – calf pair)
2 August Cape Nelson 3 x Southern Right Whale
2 August Logans Beach 2 x Southern Right Whale
2 August Tyrendarra 3 x Southern Right Whale
2 August Nelson Bay 3 x Southern Right Whale
2 August Nelson Bay 1 x Humpback Whale
2 August Lakes Entrance 1 x Southern Right Whale
2 August Portland 2 x Southern Right Whale (cow - calf pair)
2 August Cape Nelson 3 x Southern Right Whale
2 August Logans Beach 2 x Southern Right Whale (cow - calf pair)
3 August Logans Beach 2 x Southern Right Whale (cow - calf pair)
3 August Nelson Bay 8 x Southern Right Whale
Confirmed whale sightings to 10 August 2018
4 August Portland 2 x Southern Right Whale
4 August Portland 7 x Southern Right Whale
5 August Portland 2 x Southern Right Whale
5 August Grant Bay Portland 1 x Southern Right Whale
5 August Logans Beach 2 x Southern Right Whale
5 August Lake Tyers 3 x Southern Right Whale (cow – calf pair, 1 additional adult)
6 August Portland 2 x Southern Right Whale
6 August Bridgewater Bay 3 x Southern Right Whale
6 August Narrawong 6 x Southern Right Whale (cow – calf pair, 4 additional adults)
7 August Portland 3 x Southern Right Whale
7 August Narrawong 4 x Southern Right Whale
8 August Portland 2 x Southern Right Whale
8 August Cape Grant 3 x Southern Right Whale
8 August Logans Beach 2 x Southern Right Whale (cow – calf pair)
9 August Bridgewater 2 x Southern Right Whale
9 August Portland 4 x Southern Right Whale
9 August Logans Beach 2 x Southern Right Whale (cow- calf pair)
9 August Logans Beach 2 x Southern Right Whale (cow – calf pair)
9 August Bridgewater Bay 5 x Southern Right Whale
10 August Logans Beach 2 x Southern Right Whale (cow – calf pair)
10 August Bridgewater Bay 3 x Southern Right Whale
10 August Bridgewater Bay 5 x Southern Right Whale
10 August Surrey River Mouth 2 x Southern Right Whale (cow - calf pair)
10 August Fitzroy River Mouth 2 x Southern Right Whale (cow - calf pair)
10 August Fitzroy River Mouth 2 x Southern Right Whale (cow - calf pair)
10 August Fitzroy River Mouth 2 x Southern Right Whale (cow - calf pair)
10 August Portland 3 x Southern Right Whale
10 August Portland 1 x Southern Right Whale
Confirmed whale sightings to 24 August 2018
DELWP successfully disentangled a Southern Right Whale at Portland on the 12th August. During the search for the entangled whale, flights allowed DELWP staff to sight numerous Southern Right Whales around the Portland area between the 9th and the 12th of August, including four cow-calf pairs.
11 August Portland 5 x Southern Right Whale (Entangled Southern Right Whale ‘Tangles’ and 4 additional adults)
11 August Port Phillip Bay 2 x Southern Right Whale
11 August Logans Beach 2 x Southern Right Whale (cow – calf pair)
12 August Logans Beach 2 x Southern Right Whale (cow – calf pair)
12 August Surrey River Mouth 2 x Southern Right Whale (cow – calf pair)
12 August Fitzroy River Mouth 2 x Southern Right Whale (cow – calf pair)
12 August Fitzroy River Mouth 2 x Southern Right Whale (cow – calf pair)
12 August Fitzroy River Mouth 1 x Southern Right Whale
12 August Cape Bridgewater 2 x Southern Right Whale
13 August Logans Beach 2 x Southern Right Whale (cow – calf pair)
14 August Logans Beach 2 x Southern Right Whale (cow – calf pair)
15 August Logans Beach 2 x Southern Right Whale (cow – calf pair)
16 August Logans Beach 3 x Southern Right Whale (cow – calf pair, 1 additional adult)
16 August Narrawong 2 x Southern Right Whale (cow – calf pair)
17 August Narrawong 2 x Southern Right Whale (cow – calf pair)
17 August Tyrendarra 2 x Southern Right Whale
20 August Narrawong 3 x Southern Right Whale
21 August Portland 1 x Southern Right Whale
21 August Narrawong 2 x Southern Right Whale (cow – calf pair)
22 August Narrawong 6 x Southern Right Whale (3 x cow – calf pairs)
22 August Tyrendarra 3 x Southern Right Whale
22 August Logans Beach 3 x Southern Right Whale (cow – calf pair, 1 additional adult)
22 August Portland 2 x Southern Right Whale
23 August Narrawong 10 x Southern Right Whale (3 x cow – calf pairs, 4 additional adults)
23 August Cape Nelson 3 x Southern Right Whale
23 August Logans Beach 2 x Southern Right Whale (cow – calf pair)
Confirmed whale sightings to 7 September 2018
25 August Narrawong 4 x Southern Right Whale
26 August Logans Beach 2 x Southern Right Whale (cow – calf pair)
27 August Logans Beach 2 x Southern Right Whale (cow – calf pair)
28 August Cape Nelson 2 x Southern Right Whale
29 August Logans Beach 2 x Southern Right Whale (cow – calf pair)
29 August Portland 1 x Southern Right Whale
29 August Waratah Bay 2 x Southern Right Whale (cow – calf pair)
30 August Tyrendarra 6 x Southern Right Whale
31 August Portland 9 x Southern Right Whale (3 x cow – calf pair, 3 additional adults)
31 August Logans Beach 2 x Southern Right Whale (cow – calf pair)
1 September Logans Beach 2 x Southern Right Whale (cow – calf pair)
1 September Portland 2 x Southern Right Whale
1 September Portland 6 x Southern Right Whale (2 x cow – calf pair, 2 additional adults)
2 September Portland 5 x Southern Right Whale
2 September Logans Beach 2 x Southern Right Whale (cow – calf pair)
3 September Portland 1 x Southern Right Whale
3 September Portland 4 x Southern Right Whale (cow – calf pair, 2 additional adults)
3 September Logans Beach 2 x Southern Right Whale (cow – calf pair)
3 September Marengo 1 x Southern Right Whale
4 September Cape Nelson 2 x Southern Right Whale
4 September Allestree 1 x Southern Right Whale
4 September Fitzroy River Mouth 2 x Southern Right Whale (cow – calf pair)
4 September Yambuk 4 x Southern Right Whale (2 x cow – calf pair)
4 September Yellow Rock 2 x Southern Right Whale
4 September Logans Beach 2 x Southern Right Whale (cow – calf pair)
5 September Logans Beach 2 x Southern Right Whale (cow – calf pair)
5 September Logans Beach 2 x Humpback Whale pods
5 September Bridgewater 2 x Southern Right Whale
5 September Killarney 3 x Southern Right Whale
5 September Portland 3 x Southern Right Whale
6 September Bridgewater 2 x Southern Right Whale
6 September Bridgewater 5 x Southern Right Whale
6 September Logans Beach 2 x Southern Right Whale (cow – calf pair)
7 September Logans Beach 2 x SRW (cow:calf pair)
Confirmed whale sightings to 21 September 2018
Unfortunately DELWP spent most of the week ending 14 September searching for an entangled whale which was seen near Apollo Bay on the evening of Monday 10th. Despite extensive air searches along the entire Victorian coast over 4 days, the whale has not been re-located. DELWP have notified colleagues interstate and hope that the whale will be sighted again somewhere before it departs on it's southward migration. If you see an entangled whale or any whale that appears to have rope markings on it's body please call the Whale and Dolphin Emergency Hotline on 1300 136 017.8 September Logans Beach 2 x SRW (cow:calf pair)
9 September Logans Beach 2 x SRW (cow:calf pair)
10 September Logans Beach 2 x SRW (cow:calf pair)
10 September Apollo Bay 1 x SRW adult (entangled)
11 September Logans Beach 2 x SRW (cow:calf pair)
11 September Peterborough 2 x SRW (adults)
12 September Logans Beach 2 x SRW (cow:calf pair)
12 September Narrawong 6 x SRW (3 x cow:calf pairs)
13 September Logans Beach 2 x SRW (cow:calf pair)
13 September Skene's Creek 1 x SRW (adult)
13 September Narrawong 6 x SRW (3 x cow:calf pairs)
14 September Logans Beach 2 x SRW (cow:calf pair)
14 September Cape Grant 3 x SRW
14 September Lake Tyers 2 x SRW (1 x cow:calf pair)
15 September Bridgewater Bay 3 x SRW
17 September Portland 2 x SRW (1 x cow:calf pair)
18 September Narrawong 2 x SRW (1 x cow:calf pair)
21 September Portland 2 x SRW (1 x cow:calf pair)
SRW = Southern Right Whale
HBW = Humpback Whale
CC = Cow:Calf pair
If you wish to contribute sightings reports or images to the DELWP whale research program please email: southern.r.whales@delwp.vic.gov.au This data once validated will be added to the department's official fauna and flora database. If you would like your sighting to be recorded in the database please ensure you provide the following information;
Photos
Date
Time
Location (Preferably GPS coordinates)
Description including, species (if known), number of whales, behaviour/direction of travel
Preferred follow-up contact details (email or phone)
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