Time to Watch for Whales

Whale watchers are in for a bumper season if early signs are anything to go by, NSW Environment Minister Robyn Parker said yesterday (May 29), at the official launch of the 2013 whale watching season.

Launching the whale watching season from North Head in Sydney Harbour National Park, one of Sydney’s premier whale watching spots, Ms Parker said at least 16,000 humpback whales are predicted to pass NSW coastline from June to November.

"Each year as the population recovers from almost being made extinct by whaling, the annual migration of whales along our coastline becomes more and more spectacular," Ms Parker said.

"We’re expecting record numbers of whales to pass the coast during the whale watching season and more whales mean more opportunities for people to celebrate and share one of nature’s great wildlife migrations in our own backyard.

"The whale watching season runs from the start of June to the end of November and national parks located along the coast offer some of the very best vantage points with many lookouts and headlands offering prime locations to watch the passing parade.

"Start your own coastal adventure at www.wildaboutwhales.com.au, the best way for people to learn about whales migrating along our coastline, and to find the best spots.

"Share your whale sightings on Twitter (@wildaboutwhales) or Facebook, let us know via our mobile app or learn how others are making the most of the whale season."

The National Parks and Wildlife Service is the State’s foremost authority on whales, responsible for their protection and conservation. Providing protection when they are in NSW waters and assisting, where possible, any injured or entangled animals.

Regulations in NSW stipulate that vessels should not go within 100m of a whale (or 300m if a calf is in the pod), and also includes the area directly in front of or behind a whale out to 300m. But try telling that to the whales, let alone dolphins surfing the bow wave.