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.
Whales, like the humpback pictured, migrate north at this time of year. (ABC Wide Bay: Pat Heagney)
“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.
Parkdale caller Bernie told ABC Radio she was on the phone to a friend when she “saw a couple of spouts of water”.
“I’m thinking, is that a whale? And then all of a sudden it breached up, it was just amazing.”
She said the whale was “just frolicking around out there, just having a great old time”.
Humpback duo
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 with photos and footage by a range of different people,” Mr Donnelly said.
David Donnelly from the Two Bays Whale Project. (ABC News/Zoom)
“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.
Visiting the docks
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.
A whale spotted from a distance in Port Phillip Bay. (Facebook/Georgie Stansfield)
“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 expect 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 or greater. And for personal watercraft, jet skis and the like, 300 metres.”