Coming up for air: whales breach in Portland harbour. Picture: BOB McPHERSON
Coming up for air: whales breach in Portland harbour. Picture: BOB McPHERSON
Coming up for air: whales breach in Portland harbour. Picture: BOB McPHERSON
Coming up for air: whales breach in Portland harbour. Picture: BOB McPHERSON
WHALES may be scarce in Warrnambool but they are making a splash in other south-west waters.
The whale alert sounded again in Portland yesterday when two southern rights were spotted breaching about 500 metres from the north side of Lee Breakwater.
A further four attracted viewers with their playful antics near the city’s water tower, while the Visitor Information Centre was kept busy with reports of sightings at Dutton Way.
Binoculars were not needed to observe the spectacular performance, with the marine mammals, about 18 metres in length, entertaining the crowds.
Glenelg Shire Council planning and economic development group manager Syd Deam said the animals had been more active this year, with whales spotted on an almost daily basis.
“Sixty-seven whale sightings have been recorded already this season,” he said. “Southern right whales, humpbacks and orcas have all been spotted in the waters around Portland.
“The large number of whales in the area may be due to the sheltered waters and bays around Portland, Cape Nelson and Cape Bridgewater … these sheltered waters provide good visibility for spotting whales.”
Many south-west residents and visitors are keeping up to date on sightings off the coast of Portland, Cape Bridgewater and Cape Nelson with council’s Whalemail email alert system.
“The Whalemail site has been highly successful, with 76,995 hits recorded in July and 24,407 hits already recorded for the month of August,” Mr Deam said.
A number of whales have also been spotted in Port Fairy waters during the past week, while Warrnambool’s Logans Beach nursery has remained quiet.