Whales commence seasonal migration along East Coast of Australia

Whales are making their way from their summer feeding grounds in the icy Antarctic Southern Ocean to the warmer waters off Northern Queensland.

The annual migration has already begun with several reports of the huge marine mammals off the coast of NSW and South East Queensland.

Trevor Long, Director of Marine Sciences at Sea World, says there will be more whales than the estimated 19,000 seen last year.

Long explained "we've seen an increasing population now since whaling declined in 1962.

"It seems to be averaging anywhere between 8 and 11%."

The whales make their way to the warmer waters to mate and give birth.

The northern migration will continue until late July, after which the whales will return to the Southern Ocean until the end of the season in October.

Increasingly popular whale watching tours in NSW and South East Queensland have also commenced their seasonal operations over recent weeks.

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