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Humpback Whales head south…

Humpback Whales head south…

There are still Humpback Whales being sighted on the southern KZN coast, travelling south with determination.

Humpback Whale and calf playing on the backline at Sunwich Port, earlier this year. Beautiful pic by Janet Alexander of Orca’s Bar and Restaurant in Sunwich Port.

It sure seems, that despite the Japanese, the Humpback Whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) population is making quite a rapid comeback. Kudos to Sea Shepherd and Greenpeace! The current population in the southern oceans is about 50 000, way down from pre whaling population of 125 ooo. In 1966 Whaling was conditionally banned, and the population is making a steady recover ever since.

Their migration pattern in our southern Indian ocean is quite simple. From the icy deep southern Atlantic waters, where food is plentiful, they fill themselves up and head north for our winer. They head away from the rich waters of the southern ocean, up into the tropics, where there is a lot less marine life. Tropical waters are like a desert compared to the cold Antarctic, and this is why they come up here. To give birth to fragile calves out of the way of predators and wild winter seas.

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Many thanks to…http://www.grida.no/graphicslib/detail/the-long-migration-of-the-humpback-whale_9cd5 for the use of this image.

However, they are not completely in the clear. Killer Whales, Orcas – come right up into the tropics to eat the newborn calves. This normally happens in April or so.

It’s not  entirely true that there is absolutely NO food for the whales in the tropics – there is still plankton and fry. And, they eat sardines too! The calves have got kilolitres of milk to get through before the long swim back into the cold. They are weaned within a year.

Down in the southern icy waters, humpback whales feed ferociously in bursts, often teaming up to effect ingenious ways of trapping entire shoals of small fish. They work together to create a maelstrom of bubbles around and below a shoal of fish. The bubbles come to the surface, shrouding the hapless fry. Other whales stay down and herd the shoals upwards into the maelstrom of bubbles. And the humpbacks come up from the bottom in succession, mouths agape and swallowing thousands of fishies all at once!

We can expect the re-appearance of our humpback whales next year as early as March, and they then hang around until October.

Bon Voyage!

 

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Casa Algodoal for perfect waves…

Casa Algodoal for perfect waves

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Matt VW captured this sick shot of Dustin “Krusty” Volker sitting tight in the green room adjoining Casa Algodoal. Great shot Matt! Copyright Matt VW. All Rights Reserved.

Dustin Volker, in the proverbial green room, not far from Casa Algodoal, in Tofo, Inhambane, Mozambique, this week already. Casa Algodoal is top drawer modern holiday living…with unobstructed views out over Praia da Tofo.
Tofo is a favourite beach destination, and is scattered with backpackers, surfers, divers and travelers out in the warm winter sun looking for adventure.

The diving is world class and many Scuba operators offer all kinds of diving and all kinds of reefs. Humpback whales, dolphins and whale sharks frequent the clear warm waters of Inhambane, and you don’t have to blow bubbles to swim with them…take an ocean safari and snorkel if you like!

The famous calm clear waters of Inhambane Bay are home to seahorses, dugongs, starfish, panzy shells…all sorts, and the bay is great for swimming and snorkeling with whole family. And you can get a boat to the islands or Linga Linga across the bay.

The “manne” can book deep sea fishing trips to target tuna, wahoo, king mackerel and billfish…black marlin, striped marlin and sailfish are all taken off Tofo regularly…which is just down the coast from the famed Bazaruto Archipelago.

Inhambane town is a wonder on it’s own, attractive old buildings, some from centuries ago, characterise the overall state of Mozambique. The place can be challenging but if you maintain your senses and take it on…it’s extremely rewarding.

Contact Sean on umzimkulu@gmail.com to make a booking.

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Humpback Whales off Port Shepstone

Humpback Whales off Port Shepstone

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Submitted by: John van Reenen

Report:

Travelling south against the grain!? And breaching like crazy. Humpback Whales off Port Shepstone performing for the fishermen at The Block, in Port Shepstone, today.

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