21-07-2025
Southern right whale calf hit by boat at Stanwell Park, NSW
A whale calf has been struck by a boat off the New South Wales South Coast weeks after its mother was hit by another vessel.
Video of the incident shows the southern right whale, which was with its mother, being hit by a small boat off Stanwell Park.
The impact of the collision knocked the three occupants of the boat off their feet.
Directly after the strike the calf can be seen diving deeper into the water to rest near its mother.
Michael Hatte, who filmed the incident, said he and his wife were observing the whales with a drone from the regulation 100-metre distance.
"I was absolutely shocked, I froze," he said.
The Organisation for the Rescue and Research of Cetaceans (ORRCA), NSW Parks and Wildlife Service and members of the Right Whale ID program have been tracking the pair as they migrate north.
Mr Hatte continued to observe the calf for about five minutes after the incident and said it appeared to have escaped injury.
"The calf seemed fine. It didn't show signs of stress," he said.
"It went back beneath mum and was playing with seaweed again on the surface, so it looked totally unscathed."
ORRCA spokesperson Pip Jacobs said the whales were seen breaching in Sydney Harbour yesterday.
"Vessel strikes can be fatal … but we're pleased to confirm that mum and baby seem to be doing well," she said.
The southern right whale is an endangered species.
Between 250 and 300 individuals have been identified along the east coast, and larger populations along the West Coast.
The baby's mother sustained an injury from a vessel strike near Merimbula in July.
A southern right whale calf is believed to have died after being hit by a boat near Coffs Harbour earlier this year.
Ms Jacobs said the whales were vulnerable to boat strikes because they entered very shallow water and lacked a dorsal fin.
"These whales are particularly difficult to spot from the water, so they're often in the way of boats who don't know they're there," she said.
Ms Jacobs said boat users should be aware that the whales are in their migration season through to the end of August.
Boats must stay 100m from an adult and 300m from a calf.
Drones must maintain a height of at least 100m.
Ms Jacobs said the mother and baby looked as if they had recovered from their hardships.
"This pair has faced extraordinary challenges on their journey so far, but they appear to be doing well, which is not only great news for them but their species as well," she said.
