Dr Kris Carlyon encourages responsible Tasmanian whale watching

A pair of southern right whales were seen seeking shelter in the calm waters of Boat Harbour bay earlier this week, and Dr Kris Carlyon said that was an ideal and typical location for the cetaceans.

The Department of Natural Resources and Environment's wildlife biologist said the massive mammals are on their way north from the southern feeding grounds for the breeding season.

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Dr Carlyon said the southern right whales and humpback whales could be seen off Tasmania's coast, in the North-West and off the East Coast, between May and December.

"We're very lucky to have these whales here in Tasmania," Dr Carlyon said.

"This is one of Tasmania's rarest whales, it is a very small population. We've only got around 300 cows.

"We're not quite sure that is and that's a questions we're very keen to answer."

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He said the humpback whales will travel a long way north up the east coast of Australia during the migration, but southern right whales will typically only go as far as the waters of southern New South Wales.

He said the waterways were incredibly busy with marine traffic, which impact whale populations in a range of ways, and he said it is important to limit human impact on whales for the safety of humans and whales.

Whale watching guidelines can be found at www.nre.tas.gov.au and sightings should be reported to 0427 942 537.

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