Supergroup humback whale sightings on the increase in South Africa
Massive supergroups of humpback whales are becoming increasingly common off South Africa's coastline, with sightings of hundreds of whales in one area.
Intelligence analysis by Llama
Humpback whales are congregating in supergroups off South Africa's coastline, with sightings of hundreds of whales in one area. This is a result of the recovery of the population from whaling, and the formation of these supergroups is a conservation challenge.
Imagine a huge gathering of hundreds of whales, all feeding together in one area. This is happening off South Africa's coastline, and it's a result of the recovery of the population from whaling. However, this also introduces conservation challenges, as the increase in whale numbers makes them more vulnerable to ship strikes and injury.
Analysis
A $60B Vote of Confidence
The recent sighting of hundreds of humpback whales off South Africa's coastline is a testament to the recovery of the population from whaling. According to Dr. Els Vermeulen, Chief Scientist in the University of Pretoria's Whale Unit, the first supergroups were recorded in about 2012. This is a result of the recovery of the population from whaling, and the formation of these supergroups is a conservation challenge.
The International Whaling Commission says that since the 1986 global hunting ban, numbers have risen from about 10,000 to approximately 100,000 in the Southern Hemisphere. Dr. Vermeulen notes that humpback whales were severely hunted to very low numbers, but as they recover from whaling, and populations rebound, these supergroups are forming again now in our rich, Benguela upwelling system.
However, an increase in whale numbers introduces conservation challenges too, most significantly from ship strikes resulting in whale injury and death. A recent preliminary assessment co-authored by Dr. Vermeulen suggests a quadrupling of fast-moving vessels on South Africa's south-west coast since December 2023, in part due to the Middle East conflict which has diverted ships. Most whales struck by vessels will sink in the ocean, so statistics are not available, but a few carcasses wash ashore.
Gregg Oelofse, coastal and environmental manager for the City of Cape Town, says there are a lot of tankers, cargo ships, and fishing vessels coming around the coastline. He notes that they do on occasion find a carcass that comes ashore, and they'll very clearly see, because they'll see the propellor strike, often, through the whale's body.
Dr. Vermeulen is liaising with the shipping sector to find solutions to ship strikes. She says that when humpback whales are feeding they are not very aware of their environment. She is looking at speed reductions, especially when they approach the harbours of Saldanha bay and Cape Town.
Currently, there are no regulations in South Africa to lower shipping speeds to protect whales. This is a significant concern, as the increase in whale numbers introduces the risk of ship strikes and whale injury and death.
Key points
- Humpback whales are congregating in supergroups off South Africa's coastline.
- The increase in whale numbers is a result of the recovery of the population from whaling.
- The formation of these supergroups is a conservation challenge.
- Ship strikes are a significant risk to humpback whales, and the increase in whale numbers makes them more vulnerable.
- Conservationists are working with the shipping sector to find solutions to ship strikes.
If the shipping sector can work with conservationists to implement speed reductions, it could help reduce the risk of ship strikes and whale injury and death. Additionally, the increase in whale numbers could lead to a greater understanding of their behavior and habitat, which could inform conservation efforts.
The increase in whale numbers introduces the risk of ship strikes and whale injury and death. If the shipping sector does not work with conservationists to implement speed reductions, it could lead to a significant increase in whale deaths.
