Whale Families

In all there are 13 families of cetaceans containing 76 or more different species of whales. They are divided into two major groups or suborders, each containing one or more smaller family groups. Below is the list of living whales reviewed by suborder and family in roughly evolutionary order:

The Sapphire Coast region is privileged to play host each Spring, in September, (official season October - November) to a number of whales species who visit our shores on their migration south to the cooler waters of the Antarctic.

Whale Types

Today the Sapphire Coast is one of, if not the most fortunate areas in Australia that has a diverse range of whale species to view (in season), which include essentially the Humpback and Southern Right Whales. Other frequent whale species include the Pygmy Right Whale, Minke, Brydes and the False Killer Whale. Over the past three years, pods of up to six endangered blue whales have been documented, studied and photographed, which can grow to a massive 24.5 metres long and have been recorded at 29.4 metres.

To a lesser extent the Orca and Sperm whales have both been sighted further out to sea. Normally fishing charters drifting along the continental shelf or fishing boats who assist with whale locations have documented both these whale types. Dolphin is a type of whale and regular sightings of Bottlenose Dolphins occur on the Sapphire Coast.

Whales Feeding

The diverse range of experiences on the Sapphire Coast include the most awesome sight of the humpback whales often viewed feeding in co-operative hunting strategies in which shrimp and fish are herded by as many as four to six whales, the humpbacks then take turns diving and lunging upwards, mouths wide open, through their densely packed prey, an activity normally only seen in the Antarctic polar waters.

Of the humpbacks caught in the early days of the whaling era, the fact that these roquals followed relatively close to the shores of the mainland masses of both Northern and Southern hemispheres made them particularly vulnerable to hunting. Even the shore based operations of Twofold Bay were successful. In the 1830's the Southern Right Whale was the main quarry because of their slower speed. Since the end of whaling, there has been monitoring and recordings off both the east and west coast of Australia for evidence of recovery in stocks.

Methods of Tracking Whales

The method of identification of tracking whales today in the Australian waters and indeed the Sapphire Coast region can assist in providing great resources for the positive future of these majestic gentle giants of the sea.

Originally whale marking was carried out by measures including a numbered system using stainless steel tubes with conical lead heads. Fired from apparent modified twelve-bore shotguns. Over periods of years, nearly a thousand whales where tagged in Antarctic waters by several nations, similarly only the east and west coasts of Australia. A further 960 in the southwest pacific islands were tracked and intermixing of stocks were assessed.

The combined return visits from all the programs demonstrates very clearly that whales that breed for example on the east coast of Australia, could mix in the feeding areas with those from the west coast and other areas in at least some degree of overlap, but the massive majority returned to the same breeding/calving areas in which they were marked.

Out of those in the Australian area, only two transferred from one major area to another, in this case two from the east tracked westward. There was a significant amount of intermixing recorded and segregation between stock passing New Zealand as compared to eastern Australia.

Several coastal shore observers continue to monitor whales manually and this year the Pacific Whale Foundation from Hawaii will study the fascinating feeding patterns of the Humpback Whale and other behavioural patterns of whales species this season at Eden on the Sapphire Coast. Other intensive surveys have included aerial surveys following historic whaling routes. Spectacular joy flights that include whale watching is another popular way to view whales on the Sapphire Coast and available from Merimbula Airport.

Whale watching opportunities offer identification of colour patterns which have proved to be individual, so it is now possible to identify and track particular animals as they move between different locations. Photographic tracking of the under side of tail flukes when the whale dives have also traced individuality. The colour patterns have proved to be individual so it is now possible to identify and track different animals as they move between different locations.

The dorsal fin on the humpback has also been tracked locally with great success. The whalers also in the 1830's onwards identified the Orcas of Twofold Bay with the shape of their large fins.

Now the sound recordings of whale sounds have become more feasible with the development of the necessary technology, they are used as a method monitoring whales. The main result of the sound tracking are the echolocation-type clicks, so well known and documented for the toothed whales, don't exist in the Baleen Whale although there is speculation that certain pulsating signals for several species have a less elaborate, echolocation function.

Typical humpback songs which can include a distinct sequence of different sounds moans, groans, roars and sighs to high pitched squeaks and chirps changing for periods of up to ten minutes. These are often repeated in the entire sequence with the content changing slightly each year with each population's sounds being distinct.

These tranquil songs can be heard on local whale watching vessels which can only be identified as enormous value for future behavioural and migration studies along with the identification of specific stock. Sexing whales in the open ocean is difficult, but to date every singing whale - with one possible exception - has been a male.

As well as these observations a whale watching experience can only be described as being an absolute cherished moment you really feel privileged to experience. I am not sure that anyone really fully understands the fascination man has for whales. I guess everyone has their own special enchantment or kinship for our mammal counterparts. Their sheer awe inspiring size and majestic tranquil beauty, their evolution and the seemingly harsh environment they cope with and in which they live, their physiology, specific senses I am sure evoke particular interest.

If you are visiting the Sapphire Coast region during September, (official season) October, November you will have a good opportunity to view whales, and during July - August there is a chance of seeing Southern Rights (in 1994 three Southern Rights stayed in Twofold Bay for a month). Seeing these lovely creatures is truly an enlightening and amazing experience, and one you will never forget.