Super-Groups of Whales on the West Coast
Authorities are urging ships to stay clear of the large super-groups of Humpback whales on the West Coast that are gathering off Dassen Island.
Groups reaching around 150 per group have been spotted. As many as 600 Humback whales aggregate here while migrating to Cape Point. Ships are urged to steer at least 300m clear to prevent ‘vessel strikes’.
“We’re asking tour operators who are not necessarily permitted to get up close to whales, like unauthorised tourism vessels and fishing boats, not to approach the whales closer than 300 metres,” said Mduduzi Seakamela, Department of Environment, Forestry and Fisheries (DEFF) marine mammal biologist as whales on the West Coast are not often seen in these numbers. This is truly amazing as in Yzerfontein, just 85 kilometres north of Cape Town on the R27, we welcome the whales in groups of between ONLY 8 and 10.
There are a few whale watching spots up the West Coast including Paternoster, Rocherpan Nature Reserve and Lamberts Bay! Food is brought in by the currents allowing them to feed, mate and raise the young. Whale Watching On the West Coast of South Africa ranges from Melkbosstrand all the way through to Port Nolloth,
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