Key Takeaways
- A humpback whale was spotted breaching in Bream Bay, just 50 meters from a fishing boat
- The whale’s size was estimated to be around 14 meters long, making it an adult humpback
- The sighting has raised concerns about a proposed sand-mining project in the area, which could potentially harm the bay’s natural environment
- The project, which aims to dredge over 8 million cubic meters of sand, has not yet been approved
- The Bream Bay Guardians, a group campaigning against sand mining, are using the humpback sighting to highlight the potential threats to the bay’s ecosystem
Introduction to the Sighting
A incredible encounter took place in Bream Bay, Northland, when a group of friends on a fishing trip witnessed a humpback whale breaching just 50 meters from their boat. Michele Adams, who was on the boat with her husband and another couple, described the experience as "amazing, awesome, and unforgettable." The whale, estimated to be around 14 meters long, jumped out of the water and flapped its fins, putting on an impressive display. The group was lucky enough to capture photos of the moment, which they later shared with the Bream Bay Guardians, a group campaigning against sand mining in the area.
The Encounter
The group had been fishing at the Hen and Chicken Islands and were returning to shore when they saw the water churning. As they motored closer to investigate, the whale burst out of the sea, leaping and flapping its fins. Adams described the whale as "enormous, at least twice the size of the boat," and said it was "showing off and putting on an amazing performance." The boat was seven meters long, which made the whale approximately 14 meters long, the size of an adult humpback. The experience was a once-in-a-lifetime spectacle for the group, and they felt lucky to have been able to witness it.
Concerns about Sand Mining
The humpback sighting has raised concerns about a proposed sand-mining project in the area. Auckland company McCallum Brothers has applied for consent to dredge over 8 million cubic meters of sand from Bream Bay over the next 35 years. Adams, who has a home at Langs Beach, said she has visited Bream Bay for over 40 years and has never seen a humpback whale there before. She is concerned that the sand mining could drive away the seals, large stingrays, and dolphins that are commonly seen in the bay. Adams and her family are avid divers and fishermen, and they understand the value of the ocean and respect it. She has shared her photos of the humpback encounter with the Bream Bay Guardians to highlight the potential threats to the bay’s ecosystem.
The Impact of Human Activities
Humpback whales were once a common sight in New Zealand’s waters, as they migrated past the east coast twice a year. However, the whaling industry of the 18th-20th centuries turned humpback sightings into a rarity. The proposed sand-mining project has the potential to further harm the bay’s natural environment, and the Bream Bay Guardians are campaigning against it. The group is using the humpback sighting to raise awareness about the potential threats to the bay’s ecosystem and to prevent the sand-mining project from going ahead. The decision on the consent for the project has not yet been made, and it is unclear what the outcome will be. However, one thing is certain – the humpback sighting has brought attention to the importance of protecting the bay’s natural environment and the need to preserve it for future generations.
Conclusion
The humpback whale sighting in Bream Bay was a rare and incredible experience for the group of friends who witnessed it. The encounter has raised concerns about the proposed sand-mining project and the potential harm it could cause to the bay’s ecosystem. The Bream Bay Guardians are campaigning against the project, and the humpback sighting has brought attention to the importance of protecting the bay’s natural environment. As the decision on the consent for the project has not yet been made, it is essential to consider the potential impacts on the environment and to ensure that the bay is preserved for future generations. The humpback sighting serves as a reminder of the beauty and importance of the ocean and the need to respect and protect it.