Whales spotted just in time for the Whale fest

Whales are a symbol of nature in its grandest form – massive, beautiful, powerful, and graceful. They are ancient, managing so far to survive every planetary disaster and human-caused threat, from hunting to habitat loss.

This is according to Sodurba Community Tourism Organisation (CTO), which will be hosting its third annual Welcoming of the Whales event from 27 June to 30 June. This event takes place in Foreshore Drive, between Ansteys Beach and Brighton Beach, Bluff and includes an Educational Centre; market, food stalls and various beach activities and exhibitions from 9am to 5pm.

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The free event is open to the public and it promises to be bigger and better. The whole of Foreshore Drive will be closed to provide a street festival feel. The official opening will see local surfers make their way to the ocean to form a big circle at Anstey’s Beach, which will be followed by the sounding of a whale horn, a recital of a poem and a song by local music group DiTPO at 12pm.

“Thursday, 27 June brings back our Wine and Cheese evening with Eclectic Ella showcasing her designer range. To end off our festival 2019 a once in a lifetime private tour to the Old Whaling Station will take place on Sunday, 1 July, with special guest Peter Froude,” said Melissa Lee, vice chairperson of Sodurba CTO.

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Several whale sightings have already been spotted by several locals along the beaches as the festival nears. “The intensity of whaling in the Southern hemisphere, including off the coast of Durban, led to the near expiration of many baleen whale species, including both humpback and southern right whales.

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”Surveys of humpback whales have estimated that the humpback whale population that migrate past Durban have increased from the mere 340 individuals to approximately 7000 individuals – an incredible recovery of approximately 90 per cent of the original pre-exploitation stock. Their story of recovery from levels that were arguably close to extinction shows that conservation clearly can work and, in light of the trend of declining global biodiversity, should be celebrated as a symbol of hope for human survival, for the health of our oceans, and for the conservation of nature,” explained Melissa.

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