With a stream of whales already passing our coastline here in Port Macquarie, ORRCA is encouraging people to register to take part in this year’s count.

Leesa Pratt, vice president of ORRCA said the count is all about getting the community passionate about whales and other sea animals.

“We have been doing the annual whale count since 2000 and it is fantastic to see the numbers of whales counted each year increase,” Ms Pratt said.

“The census day is a social research day where we would love communities right up and down the coast to come out and spend some time looking for whales.

“And depending on where people are on the coast, they may even see some other animals, historically in Port Macquarie a number of dolphins are also recorded.”

Ms Pratt said this year the whale season had started early, but the census day should still see record numbers of whales recorded.

“Each year more and more whales are counted and we are proud that more and more people take part in the count,” she said.

“We have had people report whales regularly since the start of April – especially in Port Macquarie – so we are looking forward to the whale census this year.”

She said the day itself is aimed at being family friendly with many sites having a number of people turn up to count the whales.

“I know Port Macquarie always has lots of people come out to count the whales which is fantastic.

“Lots of people make a day out of the counting, bringing chairs or rugs and binoculars and spend the day on the headland or at the beach looking for whales.

“You do not need to be a professional to be part of the census, just register with us and we will send you some information about what we are looking for and give you a sheet to fill in as you see the whales – it is that simple.”

Ms Pratt said the best way to spot a whale is by looking for three things, spray, colour and the big animals themselves.

“If a whale is jumping out of the water obviously they will be easy to see, but otherwise look for the spray from their blowhole or the black colour in the water.”

To register for the count head to the ORRCA website.