Humpback fluke identification is a vital part of our research and documenting the incredible Humpback Whale migration that unfolds off our coastline every year. Each and every fluke is unique to each whale and can be used just like a fingerprint to recognise that individual and better understand their life story. Humpback Whales have been known to live for over eighty years and that is many thousands of kilometres travelled along our coastline, equalling to many observation opportunities of the same individuals over their lifetime. It can help us monitor birthing rates, population health and migratory patterns of movement. Today we had the chance to see many flukes throughout both our morning and midday tour as lots of adults whales were visiting the sighting grounds.
A competition pod unfolded on both tours and we were thrilled to be amongst the action as he boys challenged each other and put as much effort into the competition as they could. It is late in the competition season and for these males they will be exhausted after endless days of rough and tumble to impress the ladies. Hopefully for many of these males all that effort was worthwhile and they will have their calves being born during next years calving season. The mum and bubs are still yet to make their way south in big numbers as they wait on the water temperature to increase, but with the beautiful warm breeze and spring like conditions today we know it wont be long until the bouncing bubs arrive and enjoy taking up all the room in the sighting grounds as the last of the competition pods and bachelor males move through and make room for the mother whales.
