South Australia’s whale birthing period seen as positive indication for marine life development | Environmental News

A recent surge of southern right whales observed off the coast of South Australia is offering a beacon of hope for the region, especially in light of the ongoing impacts of a damaging algal bloom. Flinders University’s marine biologist and leader of the Australian right whale research program, Dr. Claire Charlton, expressed joy over early sightings of almost 200 whales, including many females and calves, which marks the highest numbers seen since 2016. Highlighting the conservation status of these marine mammals, who were once on the brink of extinction due to whaling in past centuries, Charlton noted the critical role of their calving grounds, like the Great Australian Bight, now celebrating its 30th anniversary as a marine park. While this positive trend is encouraging, scientists caution that long-term population growth is slowing down, and reproductive success for these whales is on the decline. These insights are based on decades of research, which also light on the enduring impact of commercial whaling on southern right whale populations, currently listed as endangered. Any celebration of this year’s numbers is tempered by concerns over marine heatwaves and algal blooms that could adversely affect the whales’ food resources. Despite these challenges, the appearance of a healthy number of southern right whales is a reassuring sign for conservation efforts.

Source: https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/aug/22/southern-right-whale-calving-season-south-australia