NEWS DESK
Fluke encounters make perfect match Keith Platt keith@mpnews.com.au THE behaviour of whales in Port Phillip and Western Port appears to be changing. Data collected by the Hastingsbased Dolphin Research Institute includes a blue whale being recorded in early June near Portland. The sighting was the on record as they usually leave those water in autumn. Questions are being asked about the effects of climate change on whale habits when the Portland sighting is competitive pods of male humpbacks appearing in Port Phillip and a humpback whale song recorded near Port Phillip Heads. DRI Executive director Jeff Weir says these “are things that would normally occur in the sub-tropics”, not Victoria. “While COVID won't have affected the movement of whales, fewer sightings were received during the pandemic than in previous years. “In 2021 we recorded 150 separate sighting events of three species (southern right, humpback and killer whale) and 259 individual whales. “In recent years we have recorded firsts for humpback whales feeding and birthing in our waters, and this year is the earliest onset of humpback migration since records have been kept,” Weir said. He said it was “probably too early to tell” these events were linked to climate change or “if we are seeing a new normal and what the conse-
ONE of the whales, above, in the Dolphin Research Institute’s new adopta-whale program and, right, a map complied by the institute’s research officer David Donnelly shows verified sightings of whales since 1984. work ahead of us”. quences will be”. “What is certain is that the baseline Weir said that the United Nations, data from our programs will become with its current Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development, even more critical in the decades ahead.” recognised the role of science “in creating a sustainable ocean that is esThe DRI this month released its updated Victorian Humpback Whale sential for the future of our planet”. Fluke Catalogue and the season report The DRI identifies and tracks of its Two Bays Whale Project 2021. humpback whales from images of their flukes (dorsal fins for dolphins) Weir said sharing the documents was “crucial to inform and inspire and hosts the Victorian Humpback community engagement and to ensure Whale Fluke Identification Catalogue, the most recent and accurate informasupporting research officer David tion is available to influence environDonnelly and adding to the work he mental decision-making”. started decades ago. The release of the reports coincided Fluke images sent to the Two Bays with the launch of the DRI’s adopt-aWhale Project are shared with other whale program “to create new opporresearchers through the online tool, tunities to build support for the crucial Happywhale, finding sighting matches
in Tasmanian, New South Wales and Queensland waters. The catalogue details 205 individual whales, an increase of 55 since 2020. Since 2015, in collaboration with Wildlife Coast Cruises, DRI and the community have recorded the movement of large whales in Port Phillip and Western Port and Bass Strait from Barwon Heads to Inverloch. Whale sightings recorded by Donnelly since 2005 and “opportunistically collected sightings” from 1984 have been individually marked on a map. Each dot representing a whale has been validated to ensure that each one shows a discrete event (not 10 people reporting a whale off Frankston pier).
The sightings are mainly of humpbacks, southern rights and killer whales. “It's important to stress that these sightings also reflect the presence of people, but they provide a baseline of knowledge that would otherwise not exist,” Weir said. “The data are shared with local, national and international bodies, including the Southern Hemisphere Whales and Climate Project.” Four Spot-a-Whale sessions for the public during the 1-3 July Island Whale Festival on Phillip Island. Details: islandwhales.com.au To report sightings or Adopt-AWhale go to dolphinresearch.org.au
Pedestrian bridge and path complete THE pedestrian bridge above the Frankston line in Chelsea has officially opened. The bridge was built as part of the level crossing removal at Chelsea. It is nearly seven metres wide and spans from Station Street to the Nepean Highway shopping strip. Another project which formed part of level crossing removal works, the 11 kilometer path between Edithvale and Frankston, was also officially opened last week. An event was held last week to celebrate the completion of the projects. A smoking ceremony was undertaken by the Bunurong Land Council. Carrum MP Sonya Kilkenny said that the new path would be enjoyed by people walking and cycling around the area. “We live in a beautiful part of the world and the new 11 kilometer walking and cycling path from Edithvale to Frankston gives families a new way to get out and explore,” she said.
“The three new stations feature new safe and secure bike cages and bike hoops, making it easier than ever to commute from home to connecting trains, shops and services.” A sculpture by artist James Tapscott will be installed next to the Chelsea pedestrian bridge in the next few months. Chelsea, Edithvale, and Bonbeach Stations reopened last year after level crossing removal works. The state government has also announced plans to build skyrail in Parkdale. Mordialloc MP Tim Richardson said “we have already removed 16 level crossings on the Frankston line with another four to go at Glen Huntly, Mentone and Parkdale by 2025 – boosting safety, easing congestion and allowing more trains to run, more often.” THE new pedestrian bridge at Chelsea Station. Picture: Supplied
Pictures: Gary Sissons
Show of ‘solidarity’ at mosque POLICE have arrested 12 people and charged eight over an incident at the Baitul Salam (House of Peace) mosque in Langwarrin early Tuesday 21 June. The men arrested, aged 62 to 18, were all charged with burglary and trespass. Mosque spokesman Aziz Bhatti said a solidarity event at the mosque in Langwarrin on Friday 24 June was held in a bid to promote harmony and understanding between nearby residents and mosque participants. Bhatti said there had been a “great response” by the public and the community leaders to building friendship among all community members since the 21 June incident (“Vandals invade
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28 June 2022
peace mosque” The Times 21/6/22). He said many people attended the Love for all, Hatred for none, solidarity day at the mosque, and shared food, refreshments, and goodwill. The mosque is the holy place of the local Ahmadiyya Muslim community, which is an Islamic revival or messianic movement originating in Punjab, British India, in the late 19th century. The Ahmadiyya branch of Islam has suffered persecution and discrimination in many countries since the movement's inception in 1889. Adherents believe in all the five pillars and articles of faith required of Muslims, and Bhatti said peace and harmony among all people was their aim. Liz Bell