Whales flock to Glenelg

Glenelg Shire has released data showing 115 Southern Right Whale, 30 Humpback Whale and three Orca Whales were sighted off coastlines near Portland, Narrawong, Cape Nelson and Cape Bridgewater during the whale watching season.

In comparison, a southern right whale cow-calf pair and three other whales were reported as sighted in Warrnambool during the same period.

Portland Visitor Information Centre visitor services officer Corey Williams praised the community for its role in making this the most successful whale watching season in the shire so far.

“Portland is certainly on the map as Victoria’s whale watching capital,” Mr Williams said.

“We’ve noticed that the community has been more actively engaged and more eager than ever to report whale sightings, with daily notifications from curious whale watchers coming to the WhaleMail page.

“It’s just been fantastic to see the community taking full ownership.

“In particular, it has been the generous support from photographers and whale spotters that have really helped this whale season to be the most celebrated one.

“We have had many dedicated photographers sharing spectacular whale photos, which has really helped to build Portland’s profile as a whale watching capital.”

Mr Williams said increased media attention and the launch of the new look WhaleMail website, linked to Portland’s major tourism website www.iamportland.com.au, had also contributed to the increase in notification of whale sightings and therefore public support.

“The revamped Whalemail webpage has helped to get the word out about the whale watching opportunities along Portland’s coastline,” he said.

“It has helped community members keep up-to-date with whale sightings.

“This season, more than 100 email alerts of whale sightings were sent to our WhaleMail webpage.”

Mr Williams said such a successful season has attracted increased media focus on the shire.

He is anticipating an even greater influx of visitors to the region next year.