ORRCA member Lisa G has become involved with the Minds in the Water Visual Petition and asks that we also participate in this fantastic initiative.

The Visual Petition is a powerful statement to the world declaring that we, as a global culture, will no longer stand by and let our whales and dolphins be murdered.

To be a part of the visual petition you need to have your photograph taken holding up either a picture of a whale or dolphin, or a statement such as 'NO MORE WHALING' which will be added to the visual petition website.

The visual petition will be presented to the International Whaling Commission in June by Dave Rastovich (pro surfer). The petition is being supported by movie stars, musicians and pro surfers such as Kelly Slater, Daryl Hannah, Missy Higgins, Wolfmother and Isabel Lucas.

If you would like to take part you can email the photo to me at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it along with your post code and first and last name (or just the first initial of your surname if you'd prefer) by the end of May 2008 and I will upload the photo and these details to the website along with other petitions I have collected.

If you would like more information please go to www.visualpetition.com

Sydney Whale Festival

Calling all Sydney-siders!!!

It's that time of year again! Time to welcome our marine mammal friends and wish them safe passage on their long migration past our shores. ORRCA has once again been invited to participate in the Sydney Whale Festival at Darling Harbour on May 16, 17 and 18. Last year was a huge success for ORRCA and we'd like to do it all again!

Please ring the hotline (9415 3333) if you would like to help out with this event even if only for a short while - we'd love to see you there!

Another successful event for ORRCA and its dedicated members!

We attended Friday and Saturday and as the forcast was bad for Sunday decided to pull the pin. We would like to thank members Leesa D, David P, Catriona B, Maura P, Matt W, Darrin B, Su J, Sue A with special thanks to Peter D for carting everything down and back from Port Stephens. While the Sunday team did not get a guernsey the willingness was still there and much appreciated! Thanks guys!!

2007 Whale Census

Last year’s Whale Census Day was another great success for ORRCA, despite some less than desirable conditions in some locations.

The first whales were sighted from Barrenjoey at 7.05am and then the hotline went into “meltdown”.

A total of 453 whale sightings were recorded for the day. Most of these were humpback whales; however, 3 southern right whales and 1 fin whale were recorded. Several pods of dolphins were also recorded on the day at various locations. The crew in Augusta WA recorded the most sightings with a total of 150.

The total sightings for the locations are as follows:

Brooms Head                  0

Boambee                        33

Dunbogan                       46

Port Stephens                 10

Strezlecki (Newcastle)     10

Norah Head                    20

Crackneck (Bateau Bay)  9

Copacabana                    16

Bouddi NP (Killcare)       4

Barrenjoey                      13

Newport                         14

Mona Vale                      0

North Head                     4

Bondi                             7

Tamarama                       2

Cape Solander                25

Port Kembla                    56

Jervis Bay                       26

Augusta WA                   150

TOTAL                          453

Many thanks to all those who spent their day looking for and counting whales. Thankfully last year there were no reports of whale harassment.

A special thankyou to Bunny Horne who was the hotline operator for the day, and to Wendy McFarlane who co-ordinated the event.

This year’s Annual Whale Census Day will be on Sunday 29^th June 2008.

Registrations are now being taken by email at  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or on the Hotline (02) 9415 3333.