Unlike anything I’ve seen: why this whale season has marine scientists puzzled
Researchers across the southern hemisphere have observed fewer migrating whales and more entanglements.
The 2026 whale season has perplexed marine scientists like never before. After a career studying these remarkable creatures, the author has witnessed several whale seasons, each distinct from the last. However, this year's migration along Australia's eastern coast stands out due to two puzzling phenomena. Firstly, humpback whale numbers are notably low, with the annual census in Western Australia revealing a 60% drop and a high number of strandings.
Additionally, the author has observed an unusually high number of entanglements, which have increased by 20%, from around 50 in 2025 to nearly 60 this year. False killer whales, typically elusive and rarely sighted near coastal cities, have been observed in large numbers, a phenomenon that is both unprecedented and puzzling. These unusual events suggest changing ocean conditions, prompting scientists to explore the impacts of climate change on whale migrations and interactions with other marine species.
Written by urgent.news from The Conversation AU's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
