Largest Humpback Migration on Record
By Lloyd Edwards
Friday, 21st October 2022In my 30 years of going to sea in Algoa Bay, this is the most Humpback whales I have ever seen in any one year. Remember that the population of humpback whales that pass us are known as Breeding Stock C2 of the Western Indian Ocean. When modern day whaling started at the whaling station in Durban in 1908, the population numbered 15 000. This population was almost totally wiped out and by the 1960s there were only a few hundred left. They were saved by the Marine Animal Protection Act of 1972, which this year celebrates its 50th Anniversary!
Just because these whales were no longer hunted after 1976 when the Durban station closed, by 2010 the population had recovered to pre-exploitation numbers of 15 000, a remarkable recovery indeed. This year we have seen literally thousands of humpback cow / calf pairs which must bide well for their population. Our networks all the way from Gabon in West Africa to Kenya in East Africa have reported similar numbers. Compare this to last year when we only saw a single cow / calf pair in Algoa Bay! The rest of the Southern migration must have been offshore on their Southern migration.
The attached photos were taken on 21st October 2022 around Bird Island and Woody Cape. We saw scores of cow / calf pairs breaching and tail slapping all over “The Greatest Marine Wilderness in Africa”. Never mind all the bait fish presently in Algoa Bay with their associated predators, thousands of common dolphins, Bryde’s whales, African penguins, Cape gannets and the rest.
This month I also gave my final “Welcoming the Whales Presentation” in Swakopmund, Namibia at the invitation of the Swakopmund Scientific Society. After my presentation in Gabon in July I carried on with more in Mombasa, Watamu and Shimoni in Kenya followed by Lüderitz and Walvis Bay in Namibia. This year we managed to do 30 locations and hopefully next year we can extend to the Congo, Tanzania and the offshore islands of Madagascar, Reunion, Mauritius and Seychelles.
A humpback cow breaches in front of Bird Island. Take with a Nikon D810, ISO 140, 200mm zoom, f/8 and 1/1250th second. The lighthouse was constructed in 1854. The keepers house can be seen on the left.
A humpback cow breaches in front of Woody Cape, which is part of the Greater Addo National Park. This is the only place on the planet where the Big 7 can be spotted in a day.
A humpback cow tail slaps off Woody Cape. Her calf can be seen on her left side. Tail slapping will be taught to the calf for defense should any killer whales be encountered.
A humpback cow takes a breath in front of Bird Island. This pair still have another 3000km to go to their feeding grounds on their epic 12 000km journey.
Our "Welcoming the Whales Presentations" for 2022. It was quite a journey believe me, but great to visit Gabon and Kenya to see where the migration finally turns around.
A poster advertising my talk at the Ocean Sports Hotel in Watamu, Kenya. It was great to see how Florence the manager welcomed me and helped enormously with the arrangements, big thanks. It was also encouraging to see the local skippers listen and absorb all the facts which were promptly passed onto their guests the following day! Of course how cannot I forget the contribution of the beautiful Jane Spillsbury and her partner Steve Trott!
The whale observers at Watamu in Kenya. They have a great vantage point and contribute significantly to our knowledge on the humpback migration.
Welcoming the Whales at the Ocean Sports Hotel. It would be nice to see a few whale posters in future . . . not just dead fish trophies!
Talking to the guides at REEFology at Shimoni. These guys are busy relocating coral between Shimoni and Wasini Island, well done guys!
Some of the SKAL tourism organization members in Mombasa, Kenya. The event was also covered live for other members around Kenya . . . my first live whale talk! Thanks to Effie, Janet and Susan for their assistance.
The final talk hosted by the Scientific Society at the Swakopmund Museum. Hopefully next year we will have more of a festival nature to the talk. A big thanks to Nadine for her support.
Dani Conry holds the audience's attention with her talks on the cetaceans of Namibia.
