A record number of Whales have been counted at the head of the Great Australian Bight close to where oil major BP wants to carry out new exploration.
According to reports in Australian media, around 81 southern right whale females and their calves were counted in this year’s breeding season survey.
The number was reportedly the most whales ever counted in the area.
The development comes at a time when environmentalists believe the waters could be under threat by oil major BP’s proposals to drill exploration wells in the bight.
BP wants to drill up to four exploration wells in deep water.
However concerns have been raised about the potential impacts of an oil spill in the region.
Earlier this month it was reported the company was on a “collision course” with environmentalists as one of its rigs made its way to the Great Australian Bight.
BP is currently leasing a rig for $580,000 a day from a Korean shipyard.
The conservation group the Sea Shepherd and its vessel, the Steve Irwin, was also said to be making its way to the same patch of ocean as the rig.
BP hopes to begin drilling exploration wells up to 2.5km deep over the coming summer, according to reports.