Latest news with #TwoBaysWhaleProject
ABC News
24-07-2025
- General
- ABC News
'Quite a mystery' as humpback whales spotted frolicking in Melbourne's Port Phillip Bay
Two whales have been spotted frolicking in Melbourne's Port Phillip Bay on Tuesday in what experts say is a "rare" occurrence. David Donnelly from the Two Bays Whale Project, a citizen science program dedicated to the study of whales in Victoria's Port Phillip Bay area, said whales migrate during this time of year. "Some of them are quite close to shore, however, swimming up the Yarra River and going under the West Gate Bridge is not something we expect," he said. "In fact, this is the first record in over a decade." Mr Donnelly said the animals were travelling north as part of their migration journey to warmer breeding grounds. "What they're doing in the bay and in the river … is quite a mystery." He said there had also been reported sightings of whales off Parkdale Beach, about 25 kilometres south-east of Melbourne's CBD. According to Mr Donnelly, sightings were reported since the weekend. Based on footage shared by the public on social media, he could identify the whales as humpbacks. "We received a number of reports of whales across Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday. We were supplied by photos and footages by a range of different people," Mr Donnelly said. "We were able to tell by the features of the dorsal fins that these were indeed humpback whales." According to Mr Donnelly, whales are also known to travel solo or in groups of up to 20 in a pod. Footage shared by Ports Victoria captured the whales occasionally breaching close to the docks under the West Gate Bridge. In a statement, Ports Victoria said it was "surprised and delighted" to witness the whales swimming up the Yarra River. "While Ports Victoria's Vessel Traffic Officers always maintain a close watch across port waters, it's not every day that they're called upon to monitor the movements of whales," a spokesperson said. Mr Donnelly said Victorians can expert more opportunities for whale sightings throughout the year. "We've got something to look forward to when they return with their calves later this year," he said. He also warned keen whale watchers to be "respectful" when encountering the mammals. "If you are on the water … please be respectful of the regulations. The regulations are there for your protection as well as the whales," he said. "And for anyone in a recreational vessel to maintain a distance of 200 metres of greater. And for personal watercraft, jetskis and the like, 300 metres."
Sydney Morning Herald
24-07-2025
- General
- Sydney Morning Herald
West Gate whales: Giant humpbacks swim up to Melbourne's busiest freeway
Under Melbourne's busiest freeway, a couple of commuters took the scenic route into the city – two humpback whales, moseying under the West Gate Bridge for the first time in living memory. The duo was spotted on Tuesday on Ports Victoria's traffic cameras that monitor the Yarra River, the grainy stills showing the whales' breaching fins, just enough to make drivers do a double take. It is not uncommon for whales to frolic at the top end of Port Phillip Bay, near Williamstown and Port Melbourne, and even at the mouth of the Yarra River, Dolphin Research Institute research officer David Donnelly said. 'But to get up to the bridge is not something we've got a record of previously,' Donnelly said. 'Our records are well-kept for the last 10 years but sporadically date back to [1984]. We have quite a long history of visits of those animals.' Whale visits to Port Phillip Bay vary from year to year. Hardly any of the animals appeared in the bay in 2024, compared with multiple visits a few years ago and again this year, Donnelly said. 'It looks like it's the same whales that have been hanging around the top end of the bay since just before Sunday. So we've been having them coming up and down the eastern seaboard, but they've also been in Corio Bay, and down through to Point Cook,' Donnelly said. The research officer, who founded the Victorian whale sightings citizen science project Two Bays Whale Project, said he and his colleagues were working to verify the humpback whale pair's path.
The Age
24-07-2025
- General
- The Age
West Gate whales: Giant humpbacks swim up to Melbourne's busiest freeway
Under Melbourne's busiest freeway, a couple of commuters took the scenic route into the city – two humpback whales, moseying under the West Gate Bridge for the first time in living memory. The duo was spotted on Tuesday on Ports Victoria's traffic cameras that monitor the Yarra River, the grainy stills showing the whales' breaching fins, just enough to make drivers do a double take. It is not uncommon for whales to frolic at the top end of Port Phillip Bay, near Williamstown and Port Melbourne, and even at the mouth of the Yarra River, Dolphin Research Institute research officer David Donnelly said. 'But to get up to the bridge is not something we've got a record of previously,' Donnelly said. 'Our records are well-kept for the last 10 years but sporadically date back to [1984]. We have quite a long history of visits of those animals.' Whale visits to Port Phillip Bay vary from year to year. Hardly any of the animals appeared in the bay in 2024, compared with multiple visits a few years ago and again this year, Donnelly said. 'It looks like it's the same whales that have been hanging around the top end of the bay since just before Sunday. So we've been having them coming up and down the eastern seaboard, but they've also been in Corio Bay, and down through to Point Cook,' Donnelly said. The research officer, who founded the Victorian whale sightings citizen science project Two Bays Whale Project, said he and his colleagues were working to verify the humpback whale pair's path.
Associated Press
29-06-2025
- Science
- Associated Press
Researchers share concerns about the impacts of boats harassing whales in Port Phillip Bay
Scientists from the Dolphin Research Institute are worried about boaters disturbing whales following recent sightings of humpback whales in Port Phillip Bay. MELBOURNE, VICTORIA, AUSTRALIA, June 29, 2025 / / -- Scientists from the Dolphin Research Institute are worried about boaters disturbing whales following recent sightings of large whales in Port Phillip. Humpback and southern right whales migrate to our waters during their northern migration, and each year, some pass through Port Phillip Heads and enter the bay. This 'whale season,' the Institute's Two Bays Whale Project has confirmed three sightings of humpback whales in our bay. Today, two mature humpback whales thrilled onlookers as they swam past Seaford, Frankston, Mornington, and Mount Martha. These reports come from the Institute's dedicated citizen scientists, who contribute important sightings of large whales migrating through Victorian waters each year. 'We are very concerned about the welfare of the whales if boaters approach too closely,' said Jeff Weir, the Institute's Executive Director. Boats should not deliberately approach large whales closer than 200 meters, and Jet Skis should maintain a distance of at least 300 meters. Penalties for violations can reach thousands of dollars. There is also a safety element for the vessels, as these whales likely weigh more than fifty times the average pleasure craft! The Dolphin Research Institute has established a 'Whale Distancing' Program to assist boaters in acting responsibly. 'It's like a Neighbourhood Watch for whales,' Weir said. 'We want to foster a strong and caring community of boaters, so that, just as we look out for our neighbours on land, we will also watch out for our neighbours in the water.' Recently, the Two Bays Whale Project has received numerous reports of humpback whales, killer whales, and southern right whales near the coasts of the Bellarine and Mornington Peninsulas and Phillip Island. It is a privilege to have these remarkable visitors in our waters. However, many patterns appear to be changing, so recording as much information as possible about whale movements and behaviours each year is crucial. Additionally, this knowledge should be made publicly accessible, a commitment the Dolphin Research Institute upholds on behalf of its citizen scientists. The Dolphin Research Institute recently published a whitepaper that offers new insights into the role of Bass Strait for whales. Titled 'More Than a Migratory Corridor: Humpback Whale Feeding and Calving in Bass Strait,' the report highlights the significance of Bass Strait as a location for humpback whales to feed and nurse during their migration. This new information is essential to the environmental approval process for various projects planned in the Bass Strait area. The Dolphin Research Institute receives no ongoing government funding, relying on community and philanthropic support for its 34-year history. Members of the public can report sightings, commit to Whale Distancing and support the Institute's Winter Appeal at: Media Inquiries: Jeff Weir 0419356388 | [email protected] Images are available on request. Please cite Georgie Puschner for images. END Jeff Weir Dolphin Research Institute +61 419 356 388 email us here Visit us on social media: Facebook Legal Disclaimer: EIN Presswire provides this news content 'as is' without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the author above.
