BUSSELTON tourists and residents alike enjoyed being able to see a sub-adult southern right whale from the jetty earlier this week.
Department of Parks and Wildlife marine park coordinator Matthew Dasey said it was common to see this type of whale in Geographe Bay over the cooler months.
“Although it is unusual for them to be seen from the jetty this isn’t a sign that the whale is in trouble or about to strand,” he said.
“Southern right whales are known to be curious about their environment and will investigate boats,
“As an ocean-dweller it is possible that it has never encountered anything like the Busselton Jetty and was investigating it.”
WATCH: A young southern right whale enjoying its time at Busselton Jetty.
Mr Dasey said the whale which was captured near the jetty was also seen near Scarborough on June 23.
“This whale has swum over 200km in about 10 days since it left Perth. This is not unusual for a southern right whale and confirms that the whale is in good health,” he said.
Mr Dasey said unfortunately the whale was harassed by recreational boats which could have been the reason why it left Scarborough so soon.
“In WA, boaters should not approach a whale closer than 100m or drive a vessel into the path of a swimming whale,” he said.
“The best strategy for whale-watchers is to maintain a slow speed and travel parallel to the whale while keeping at a distance of at least 100m,
“If boaters in Geographe Bay give the southern right whale some space it may remain in the bay for a long time, however it will eventually head south to where they spend most of their time.”
