Videos Show Migrating Humpback Whales Pausing to Feed Along Australia’s Coast

Humpback whales migrating south along Australia’s coast may be doing more than simply passing through. A new study found widespread evidence that the whales stop to feed in mid-latitude waters on their way toward Antarctic feeding grounds. Researchers reviewed public posts on Facebook and Instagram from whale-watching companies, drone operators and whale enthusiasts. They included only footage or photographs showing specific feeding behavior, such as whales opening their mouths, lunging with expanded throat pleats, using bubble nets or surfacing through dense groups of baitfish. The review identified 199 separate feeding observations between 2013 and 2024. Together, the records represented an estimated 1,417 humpback whales feeding in Australian waters. The largest concentration of verified observations was along the New South Wales south coast, particularly near Eden, Merimbula and Bermagui. Those locations accounted for 45% of the recorded events. Eastern and southern Tasmania represented 28%, while the Victorian coast accounted for 12%. The researchers also found previously underrepresented feeding areas near Phillip Island and across northern Tasmania. Sightings increased from August through October, when the whales were traveling south and their energy reserves were thought to be at their lowest. The study linked the feeding areas to nutrient-rich coastal upwellings associated with the East Australian Current, which can create temporary concentrations of krill and baitfish. On 16 occasions, observers recorded groups ranging from 20 to more than 150 whales feeding in the same area. The observations challenge the long-standing “capital breeder” model, which portrays humpback whales as relying mainly on fat accumulated in Antarctica while they migrate, mate and nurse calves in warmer waters. The findings also point to potential risks. Feeding whales that remain in one area can face entanglement in fishing gear, while nearby shipping and offshore development may expose them to vessel strikes and underwater noise. The researchers said whale protections may need to account for feeding hotspots that are localized and active for only a few weeks each year. Possible measures discussed in the study include seasonal or mobile management areas, ship-speed reductions and adjustments to fishing regulations. The research was published in Marine Mammal Science.