Conservation photographer Jean Tresfon took the opportunity to fly up to the West Coast to see where the humpback whale supergroup were choosing to feed. In addition to his excursion and upon request from researchers, he was also “hoping to check the shoreline for dead Cape Fur seals” following the Cape Fur seal mortality event that seems to be ongoing.
Joined by marine mammal scientist Dr. Simon Elwen from Sea Search, numerous beaches from Blouberg to Grotto Bay were surveyed. Upon the stretch from Grotto Bay to Yzerfontein, 81 dead Cape Fur seals of various ages were discovered. Approximately 148 dead Fur seals were discovered from Soverby to Sippers Bay.
Further, the duo also climbed up high and made the crossing to Dassen Island where they spotted both tell tale whale blows and the RV Algoa to the northwest.
“Heading out for a look we found a pod of around 15 humpback whales feeding deep down and DEFF whale scientist Mdu Seakamela doing his best to track them on a small boat in big messy seas. On the south side of the island there were a few boats out and the birds were working a shoal of baitfish with about 5 humpbacks actively surface feeding below them,” says Tresfon.
More humpback supergroups were spotted in the mouth of Saldanha Bay.
“This is truly a world-class phenomenon. The investigation into the seal deaths continues…” Tresfon adds.
Photographs by Jean Tresfon:
“Tail-slapper… amazing to watch the tail-slapping behaviour of this humpback from above when you can see the rest of the animal that is normally invisible under the water.”
“Feeding group of humpback whales to the north of Dassen Island. They appeared to be feeding deep down, disappearing for minutes at a time before surfacing again to breathe.”
“Dassen Island, the second largest of South Africa’s nearshore islands, with Table Mountain visible 63km to the south.”
“House Bay on the north side of Dassen Island.”
“One of the many wrecks along the shores of Dassen Island.”
“Small boat, big seas… One of the many blinders on the south side of Dassen Island.”
“Surface feeding humpback whales on the south side of Dassen Island.”
“Surface feeding humpback whales on the south side of Dassen Island.”
“Looking over Kraal Bay towards Langebaan with 16 Mile Beach in the foreground.”
“Nature’s disposal team surrounds what is left of a humpback whale on the beach near Silverstroomstrand.”
“The old guano huts on Vondeling Island, now the preserve of the fur seals and cormorants.”
“A feeding pod of humpback whales at the entrance to Saldanha Bay. There are so many humpbacks at the entrance to this busy port during this time of year that a ship strike is almost inevitable.”
“Part of the cape fur seal colony at the aptly named Robbesteen. Reviewing the high-resolution images one can see quite a few dead animals, including many pups that were either aborted and/or died after being weaned.”
“Port Owen, Laaiplek and the Berg River mouth.”
“Interesting channels carved into a straight sandy beach shoreline by the water.”
“Laaiplek and the Berg River mouth.”
“Purse-seine fishing vessels alongside the quay at Sandy Point Harbour in St. Helena Bay.”
“Stompneuspunt looking south towards Britannia Point and Cape St. Martin.”
“Careful not to throw your anchor into the neighbour’s fishbox!”
“Part of the fur seal colony at Groot Paternoster Point.”
“Cape Columbine with Tietiesbaai and Duminy Point in the background.”
“So awesome to see several supergroups of humpback whales offshore from Duminy Point.”
“Jacobs Reef with Jacobsbaai and the entrance to Saldanha Bay in the background.”
“Smitswinkelbaai and the Saldanha Bay yacht club…”
“The vehicle lends some scale to the true size of the iron ore skip at the Saldanha ore terminal.”
“Greece? I think you’ll find the water here is a few degrees colder than the Mediterranean! Club Mykonos near Langebaan.”
“The Strandloper Restaurant near Langebaan.”
“Schaapen Island with Rietbaai in the background. Kite-surfer haven…”
“Good to see the Spill-Tech crews out sieving for nurdles on 16 Mile beach near Yzerfontein.”
