It is time to count the whales at Cape Byron lighthouse this Sunday 25 June.
Cape Byron Lighthouse in the Cape Byron State Conservation Area is one of five National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS)-hosted locations for the national humpback whale migration census day held each year by marine mammal rescue organisation ORRCA (Organisation for the Rescue and Research of Cetaceans in Australia) .
NPWS area manager Sue Walker said the annual whale count is an opportunity for the public to help gather information to build a snapshot of whale movements and behaviours.
‘The humpback whale migration is a conservation success story, with 30,000 humpback whales expected to pass by the NSW coast this whale watching season—up from just 200 to 500 estimated to have been left in the 1960s after decades of whaling,’ said Ms Walker.
‘We’re encouraging everyone to come along to the whale census day on Sunday 25 June to help tally the number of whales swimming past and to learn more about these giants of the deep.
‘At Cape Byron Lighthouse we’ll have information sessions run by NPWS guides, as well as interactive activities for children.
‘Bring along your binoculars, and together with the ORRCA volunteers we’ll help count the whales and update and display the tallies throughout the day,’ she said.
For information about the Cape Byron lighthouse venue for the ORRCA whale census day, click here.