The magnificent humpback whales have begun their northerly migration along the east Australian coast.It is estimated that more than 10,000 whales will soon be cruising past our doorsteps, and Australian Seabird Rescue (ASR) general manager Rochelle Ferris says that the organisation founded by her late father, Lance, is well-prepared in the event of a stranding.
“In the event of a whale stranding, ASR works closely and co-operatively with the National Parks and Wildlife Service and other non-government organisations by providing assistance and resources at the scene.
“The ASR Cetacean Stranding Team is a highly trained group of volunteers who are available to respond promptly to a stranding event anywhere between the Clarence River and the Tweed.”
ASR maintains a wide variety of response equipment including boats, tents, generators, lighting and wetsuits to support a co-ordinated rescue effort.
Please remember if you are boating, swimming or diving in sight of a whale:
NSW Parks and Wildlife introduced amended regulations in 2006 that govern whale watching from the sea to meet strict national standards. They introduced a caution zone limiting boats to 300m from a pregnant or calving whale and 100m from an adult or juvenile.
Boats are also banned from approaching whales head on or from the rear. But if a boat is stationary or drifting, a whale can obviously approach and stay with it as long as it likes.for more info on Whale and Dolphin regulations visit NSW Parks and Wildlife.
Photograph and articles from The Far North Coaster online magazine.
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