Where did you surf today ?

[Nick Carroll]

Could be. Sure seemed like there were more this year. I think the counters recorded more.

[saltman]

Re the whale tracking - North of Byron I would say they were definitely further out this year

only recently when they are on the return trip I have seen a few more within a hundred metres or less

[steve shearer]

they always seem to head out to sea once they get north of Cape Byron on the way north.

[crabmeat thompson]

they've been in closer along the tweed coast where i've been surfing. one was in so close thought it was gonna beach itself.

it had a few big sharks trailing it too. mighta been sick?

[saltman]

Was this recent
Early season they were a long way out

The return trip much closer

[marauding mullet]

Was this recent
Early season they were a long way out

The return trip much closer

Was generally the reverse out off the Hunter coast. I always assumed that once travelling they would be hitching a ride in the prevailing current, which could vary from year to year

[marauding mullet]

This pic of the Swansea FAD gives you some idea of just how hard the EAC runs when it's in full swing in January and february.
17 Kms out off Swansea in 100 metres of water, the FAD is anchored to the bottom. It stands about 2 metres out of the water normally.
Closer to shore the current isn't even noticeable.

[crabmeat thompson]

Was this recent
Early season they were a long way out

The return trip much closer

yeah about a month ago.

a guy waved us in at cudgen, there were 5 or 6 biggish whites trailing a whale on the back bar.

heaps of dolphins too ... they were swimming all under and through us.

[bomboraa]

Up the coast close, down the coast wider out, as mentioned, hitching a lift with the EAC. From my eyes, fishing a lot from wash fishing, out to Browns Mountain, there were fewer inshore this year off Sydney heading north.

[bomboraa]

Also wider whales far more curious; they swim up to the boat, some even slowly lift themselves up with bodies five metres vertically out of the water and have a good gander before slowly sinking. Inshore whales don't seem to give a rats and just swim on by.

[Beerfan]

Those inshore whales are bad mofos, rob you blind no sooner n look at ya

[Drailed]

Was this recent
Early season they were a long way out

The return trip much closer

yeah about a month ago.

a guy waved us in at cudgen, there were 5 or 6 biggish whites trailing a whale on the back bar.

heaps of dolphins too ... they were swimming all under and through us.

Dolphins protect humans from sharks, if there are dolphins present you have nothing to fear.

[marauding mullet]

Flipper was the only Dolphin that ever did that Loof

[buddy]

I reckon I've had dolphins warn me of sharks.
George Greenough also has spoken of it.

The myth is that when there are dolphins around there are no sharks.

[saltman]

Was this recent
Early season they were a long way out

The return trip much closer

yeah about a month ago.

a guy waved us in at cudgen, there were 5 or 6 biggish whites trailing a whale on the back bar.

heaps of dolphins too ... they were swimming all under and through us.

Dolphins protect humans from sharks, if there are dolphins present you have nothing to fear.

Trying too hard for a third TOTY ??

[tootr]

I reckon I've had dolphins warn me of sharks.
George Greenough also has spoken of it.

The myth is that when there are dolphins around there are no sharks.

Nearby Dolphins being skittish and darting about, as opposed to milling around as they usually do, is a good indicator to paddle in.

[steve shearer]

what about dolphins having rough sex nearby?

stay or go?

[tootr]

Ask crabstick on that one.