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Marine investigation:
Changing numbers of Humpback whales passing
Seal Rocks, NSW, Australia
Hooray!
- numbers in 2016 back to the highs of 2011 and 2012
Depiction of the EAC in early October 2016
Photo courtesy of Robbi Bishop-Taylor
Likely explanation?
- in October 2016 the East Australian Current (EAC) was strongly focused onto the NSW coast
In October 2017 a large eddy formed up out from Coffs Harbour further up the coast. It is likely that the associated outward currents diverted the whales out to sea and therefore out of sight from the land.
Eddy in the EAC
2022 the lowest on record - WHY??
Did eddies redirect movements out to sea?
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The 2023 season:
The 2022 season: a very low-number season with an unusually early start yet again
The 2021 season: an unusually early start yet again, and unusually whales appearing close to shore in August
Unusual early start again?!-
Again a major aggregation of Humpbacks is recorded feeding close to the NSW south coast in early September. So early - when did they pass by Seal Rocks? Was it the unusual occurrence of pods seen heading south in mid August?
The 2020 season: Late Oct - not looking 'normal' at all - a very low season at Seal Rocks
What is going on?!-
On 12th September a major aggregation of Humpbacks (100+) is recorded feeding close to the coast about 600 km to the south (Haycock Rock, Ben Boyd N.P.). So early - when did they pass by Seal Rocks? Was it the pods seen at distance heading south in late August to early September?
Unprecedented numbers reported about Tasmania
in late October - early November
The 2019 season: movement started much earlier
A much earlier start was very obvious
A corresponding earlier end
The 2018 season again has a very different across-season pattern:
The 2017 and 2016 across-season patterns were so different!
Photo courtesy of Michiyo Nikaido
Photo courtesy of Michiyo Nikaido
Photo courtesy of Robbi Bishop-Taylor
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