kimberley whale watching

With the generous assistance of the crew aboard "Kimberley Quest 1", and the participation of the Western Australian Marine Science Institution, a whale survey is being conducted at Camden Sound over a six month period, commencing at the beginning of June, 2008. Kimberley Cruise Centre Directors, Bruce and Terri Connell, have recently returned from a cruise aboard Kimberley Quest II and they reported that there were Humpback whales aplenty!

article published on the abc's website - 12 august 2008

Scientists discover massive humpback whale nursery off WA coast.

One of the world's biggest humpback whale nursery grounds has been discovered off the coast of Western Australia's Kimberley region.

The Western Australian Marine Science Institution said 607 humpback whales were sighted in one of the Kimberley's largest bays, Camden Sound, within a week.

"We believe it surpasses the number found in the Carribean's Silver Banks region, which is usually listed as one of the world's main humpback whale nursery grounds," he said. "We are now right in the middle of the whale season in the Kimberley."

Dr Blake said the movement of pregnant whales, whales with young calves and bulls into the Camden Sound region was 'astonishing.' On the last day of the study 51 whales passed the observation site in two-and-a-half hours, more than 20 whales in one hour. The average number of whales seen each hour was about 9.

"The highlight of the trip for me was seeing a whale calf practising breaching, jumping out of the water every 30-seconds or so for five minutes under the watchful eye of its mother," he said.

"Undoubtedly the Kimberley is one of the last true marine wildernesses in the world"

Dr Blake has called for more investment into regional research in the Kimberley.