THE annual whale-watching season off the South Australian and Victorian coasts arrived on Monday with sightings in the bay at Portland and at Cape Bridgewater.
Southern right whales are frequently seen in Rivoli Bay and near Southend and Beachport between May and September each year as they migrate from the Antarctic waters.
On occasions, they come close to the shore and the jetties, giving onlookers with cameras and binoculars an opportunity to see them up close.
Beachport Visitor Information Centre staff member Susan Gray said she was unaware of any local whale sightings so far this season.
“No-one has let us know,” Ms Gray said.
“We always want to hear about any whale sightings or receive photographs.”
The first whales of the 2018 season were sighted from the shore of Beachport in late June.
Believed to be humpbacks, the four whales were seen about 400 metres from shore near the Salmon Hole and swimming north.
Almost 11 months ago, a whale washed up on the shore of Boatswains Point near Robe and then died.
There was speculation it may have been one of the four whales seen near Beachport.
The South Australian Museum does not have an adult humpback in its collection and so researchers retrieved a portion of the carcass for scientific research.
There were enough whales in Rivoli Bay in colonial times that a whaling station was established in the 1830s at the site of the modern-day professional boatyard.
The Beachport National Trust Museum on Railway Terrace has some relics from the whaling era.
Department for Environment and Water spokesperson Chris Thomas said the annual migration of whales to South Australian waters occurs during the cooler months, which is when they mate, give birth and nurse their young.
“Most South Australian whale sightings are southern right whales and sometimes humpback whales,” Mr Thomas said.
“Whale watching is a fantastic nature-based experience, about 400,000 people take part in this activity each year in SA.
“You can enjoy watching these magnificent whales breaching, body-rolling and tail-lobbing from on-shore viewing platforms, or by booking a boat tour with a private tour operator.”
