Humpback whale makes its way through Sydney Harbour, pauses ferries during morning commute
The juvenile whale first entered the harbour about 8am on Wednesday.
At approximately 9am, "ferries paused their services" briefly following advice of the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS), spokesperson Mel Hall said.
Footage taken from a passenger inside one ferry showed the whale's tail out of the water as it swam near the vessel.
"Transport for NSW Maritime is managing ferry and other boat traffic to allow safe passage of the whale through the harbour," the spokesperson for Transport for NSW said.
The whale did not appear to be entangled or injured and instead may have "taken a detour" on its migration north.
NPWS and Maritime NSW crews said they were escorting the humpback on its journey in a bid to protect both the animal and the public.
Transport for NSW said whale scientist Vanessa Pirotta from Macquarie University was also on board the crew vessel to provide expertise.
Given how busy the harbour can be, the crew's vessels marked an exclusion zone around the freely travelling whale to prevent other boats from getting too close.
Prior to the crew's intervention, the whale had been heading towards Circular Quay.
"Since that time it has gradually been making its way east, and we believe now around lunchtime it has exited the harbour or its lingering at the harbour entrance," Ms Hall said.
"This is a reasonably common event now in Sydney Harbour.
"When a whale does come into the harbour, the government organisations in the harbour then step up to escort the whale."
Each year about 40,000 humpback whales journey north from Antarctica up to Queensland.
As per Transport For NSW, boaters are advised to keep a minimum 100 metres from adult whales and 300m from a calf at all times and follow directions of control vessels.
Boaters are not permitted to stop and wait in the path of the whale.
NPWS thanked the public and the transport system for their cooperation.
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