Commuter ferries held up as humpback whales migrate
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Thousands of whales join the ‘humpback highway’ along Australia’s coast
- Humpback whales undertake one of the world's longest mammal migrations, travelling from Antarctic feeding grounds to breeding areas off Australia's coast during winter.
- This annual migration, involving approximately 40,000 whales, creates the "humpback highway" along Australia's east coast, leading to frequent sightings near urban centres like Sydney.
- The whales' large size and tendency to stay close to shore make them highly visible, sometimes causing extraordinary events like halting ferry traffic in Sydney Harbour due to their curious nature.
- The humpback population has significantly recovered since becoming a protected species in 1963, leading to increased interactions with humans.
- While offering unique viewing opportunities, the growing whale population and human proximity raise concerns about entanglements, collisions, and potential changes to migratory patterns due to climate change and krill harvesting.