Milford Sound Whale Sightings Up
Reported whale sightings in Milford Sound have reached a record high in 2009.
The Department of Conservation has so far received reports of 3 humpback whales, 2 southern right whales and a probable sighting of a minke whale in Milford Sound.
Many of the reported sightings and photographs have been provided by tourism operator Real Journeys which operates day and overnight cruises in Milford and Doubtful Sounds.
DOC Marine Ranger Richard Kinsey said the photographs taken by vessels in Milford and Doubtful Sound are helping the Department build up a valuable picture of marine mammal activity in the area.
“This year certainly seems to have been a good year for whale sightings around a lot of the southern coast of New Zealand although no one is really sure why,” he said.
In 2008 one southern right whale and two humpback whale sightings were reported and in 2007 one southern right whale was reported in Milford Sound.
“The reported sightings and photographs we have received from Fiordland tourism operators like Real Journeys are invaluable for helping us to build up a catalogue of the whales that are seen.
“Pictures of tail flukes, flippers or the heads of animals show markings that are unique to each individual and allow us to potentially re-identify them in the future,” Mr Kinsey said.
“DOC staff are not out in the fiords all the time and the information we receive is fantastic in helping us with this work.”
Real Journey’s Milford Branch Manager Paul Phelan said the sightings, which were usually at breakfast time following an overnight cruise, were the icing on the cake for visitors and the crew on board.
“We always take photographs, log the sighting and pass the information on to the Department of Conservation. Knowing that that information helps DOC staff carry out its work in the area is a bonus for crew members.
“There are several ideas about the possible reason for the increase in numbers this year such as the food source being closer to shore. But no-one seems to know for sure at this stage why the numbers are up,” Mr Phelan said.
Meanwhile reported whale sightings in Doubtful Sound over the past three years have included southern right, southern bottlenose, orca, humpback, minke and Arnoux’s beaked whales.
Milford Sound visitors have also been enjoying record sightings of rare Fiordland crested penguins
Up to 15 penguins at a time have been spotted at dusk and early morning - double the numbers seen in recent years.
Over the past two years Real Journeys nature cruise guides and crew have trapped almost 40 stoats and rats in 28 traps placed at key breeding sites around the Milford Sound coastline at Anita Bay, the Moraine, Penguin Cove, Harrison Cove and the Penguin Tree.
The Fiordland crested Penguins arrive along the coastline and begin building nests in July before laying their eggs in August. By Mid December the penguins usually head out to sea returning in January to moult.
For more information
Contact
Paul Phelan Branch Manager Milford Sound
Or
Angus Small
Operations Manager Milford Sound
03 249 8090
Richard Kinsey or Kath Blakemore
Department of Conservation
03 249 0200
