NEWS DESK Whales making a comeback ALTHOUGH hunted to the edge of extinction during the industrial whaling era, it is expected that 35,000 humpback whales will visit eastern Australian this year. When whaling ended it was estimated that only 200 – 400 had survived. The news is not so good for the southern right whale, with their southeast Australian numbers now estimated at between 250 and 300 individuals with little noticeable increase in population size. The best land-based locations to see whales in the Two Bays region between June and September] are: Barwon Bluff,; Port Phillip Heads; Cape Schanck; The Nobbies, Pyramid Rock, Cape Woolamai on Phillip Island; and Bass Coast. Fines can apply to people deliberately approaching a whale closer than 200metres for vessels; 300m for jet skis; and 500m height for aircraft (including drones).
WHALES making their presence felt off of Ranelagh Beach, Mt Eliza. Picture: Dolphin Research Institute
Whales back in the bays for winter IT was as if the first day of winter was arranged by central casting. Right on cue, humpback whales appeared in Port Phillip and along the Phillip Island coast. A pod of killer whales was reported at Port Phillip Heads. In the know whale watchers have been awaiting the annual arrival of the marine mammals as they move from the wild Southern Ocean into warmer waters along Australia’s coastlines. For many years, Victoria mostly missed out on seeing these whales, however over the past decade, whale
numbers have grown and the migration of humpback whales regularly spills into the coastal waters of the state’s two major bays, Port Phillip and Western Port. The Hastings-based Dolphin Research Institute monitors whale movements and with sightings becoming more regular, established the Two Bays Whale Project, a citizen science initiative designed to gather information on visiting humpback, southern right and killer whales. The project is a partnership with Wildlife Coast Cruises.
“The project has been an amazing step forward for the monitoring and management of large whales in our coastal waters,” project coordinator David Donnelly said. “Last season our citizen science community was instrumental in tracking a humpback whale entangled in crayfish pots.” This information was shared with wildlife managers to assist with the emergency response. This year, whale spotters are being asked to keep watch for a young whale with a large wound on its tail.
led to sub-Antarctic waters to feed over summer, so are very keen to see if the calf survived.” The Two Bays Whale Project is calling for citizen scientists to contribute sightings through ‘PodWatch’ its recently launched application. Go to www.dolphinresearch.org. au and click on the sightings link. The system can be saved to a smart phone’s home screen and used like any other app. Donations to the institute’s GiveNow appeal can be made at www.dolphinresearch.org.au Keith Platt
The little whale was photographed off Wilsons Promontory last year and through the citizen science network it was matched to photos of a calf with a fresh gaping wound taken 47 days earlier in Hervey Bay, Queensland. “We suspect the calf had been attacked by sharks,” Mr Donnelly said. “In a remarkable feat, the mother whale was able to rescue her calf and travel more than 2000 kilometres to Victoria in 47 days. She would have also fed it about 100 litres of milk every day. “We suspect they would have trave-
Artificial reefs plan to improve fish stocks ARTIFICIAL reefs could be placed in the bay off the Quarantine Station at Point Nepean and off Rye or Blairgowrie under a strategy to boost fishing stocks. The Point Nepean reef would be ideal for yellowtail kingfish and the Rye or Blairgowrie reef would suit anglers targeting species such as slimy mackerel and yellow tail scad – the perfect live bait for yellow tail kingfish. Nepean MP Chris Brayne joined forces with Futurefish Foundation director David Kramer last week to workshop ideas for the reefs to enhance recreational fishing. Their plans include working alongside marine scientists and bay managers in the lead-up with the pair conceding “there is a lot of planning and ap-
Sea hunt: Futurefish Foundation director David Kramer and Nepean MP Chris Brayne out on the water. Picture: Supplied
proval required before the reefs would be installed”. Mr Brayne said it was the Mornington Peninsula’s “turn” for reefs after Premier Daniel Andrews committed before last year’s state election to
installing $2.5 million of new reefs in Port Phillip. “During the past 10 years, successive Victorian Labor governments have installed reefs off Frankston, Seaford, Chelsea, Aspendale, Altona,
Portarlington, Geelong and St Kilda,” Mr Brayne said. “Most of these reefs have enhanced recreational fishing for snapper after decades of scallop dredging destroyed the natural habitat in the bay. Now that great snapper fishing has returned it’s time to boost recreational fishing opportunities on the peninsula using artificial reefs.” He and Mr Kramer went boating off Rye last week to assess ideal sites – especially a reef to attract kingfish. “Yellowtail kingfish have made a remarkable return to Port Phillip, particularly in The Rip, however the most popular place to fish for them is right in the middle of the shipping channel,” Mr Kramer said. “A reef off the Quarantine Station at Point Nepean would provide an alter-
nate habitat for kingfish to congregate outside of the shipping channel. “This would be safer for anglers and help avoid the issue of hundreds of boats drifting in the shipping channel in search of the prized yellowtail kingfish having to move out of the way of passing ships.” Mr Brayne said the reefs could possibly be installed during the winter of 2020 and be fishable in the summer of that year. “With boat ramps fees set to be scrapped on the peninsula before next season, artificial reefs on the drawing board and all commercial netting in Port Phillip ceasing in 2022, the peninsula fishing opportunities are set to be boom in years to come.” Stephen Taylor
MAY & JUNE 2019 SPECIALS Tuesday Night
Friday Night
Sunday Night
Enjoy 350 gram waygu rump
Order a main course ($24.00 or over) and receive either
Soup Your choice of Two Roasts Dessert All for only
STEAK NIGHT
OYSTER NIGHT ½ dozen oysters $16.00 or 1 dozen oysters $20.00
With your choice of sauce and sides
Choose either Natural, Kilpatrick, Mornay or Chilli Salsa
$28.00
minimum spend $20 per head
t’s &c’s apply
Marina Restaurant & Lounge Bar
ROAST NIGHT
t’s &c’s apply
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21 Skinner Street Hastings
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$28.00
Phone 5979 3699
t’s &c’s apply
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info@marinarestaurant.com.au
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www.marinarestaurant.com.au Mornington News
11 June 2019
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