White southern right whale spotted by keen whale watchers near Point Ann

A rare white southern right whale calf has been spotted off the Great Southern Coast near Point Ann, north-east of Bremer Bay, by keen whale watchers on Wednesday.

The whale calf was spotted with another larger whale, likely its mother, in the area of the proposed South Coast Marine Park.

The pair were spotted swimming together about 20 metres from the shoreline.

Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions marine scientist Dr Holly Raudino said the sighting of a white calf is not unusual for southern right whales.

“The pale whale is a calf based on its size relative to the adult which, based on its proximity and behaviour, is likely its mother,” she said.

“The white colour is not that unusual for this species and it’s likely the calf will darken in colour as it matures.”

Southern right whales can be seen along WA’s south coast between June and October each year and grow up to 80 tonnes in weight and 18 metres in length.