Overview

• On July 19, a speedboat struck a southern right whale and her calf off Stanwell Park, throwing the boat’s occupants off their feet but causing no serious harm to the animals.
• Witnesses including Michael Hatte recorded the collision from the mandated 100-metre drone distance and reported both whales resumed normal behavior shortly afterwards.
• Experts from the Pacific Whales Foundation warn that vessel speeds below 12 knots significantly reduce the risk of injuring migrating right whales.
• NSW regulations require vessels to stay at least 300 metres from whales with calves and 100 metres from lone whales, with drones kept above 100 metres to avoid disturbance.
• Conservation groups such as the Organisation for the Rescue and Research of Cetaceans and the Right Whale ID program are tracking the mother and calf as they continue their annual northward migration.