Whale watchers across the Great Lakes are being encouraged to keep their eyes peeled at viewing platforms across the region this Sunday, June 28 for the annual ORRCA (Organisation for the Rescue and Research of Cetaceans in Australia) census day.

There are so many great headlands and vantage points that members, followers and volunteers from the public can take advantage of, ORRCA vice-president, Jools Farrell said.

Sugarloaf Point Lighthouse (also known as Seal Rocks Lighthouse) lookout is one of the many favoured locations for the whale census, Ms Farrell said.

"It's high enough to look down; any headland where you can look down at the ocean is great," she said.

"This year we hope to see more migrating humpbacks than last year's record count of 2743 whales spotted on our census day," she said.

In the four decades since commercial whaling in Australia stopped humpback numbers have steadily increase from near extinction to more than 60,000.

That number is expected to increase at around 10 to 11.5 per cent every year.

Southern right and minke whales also sometimes travel along the humpback highway.

"We also record our pods of dolphins and groups of seals over the course of the day.

"The ORRCA census day is a social research day for our ORRCA members and friends; it is a day to see how the population is progressing and it is good to see if there are any emaciated whales or whales which are not looking well."

This year ORRCA is reminding whale watchers and counters to adhere to social distancing protocols.

"ORRCA members will be at certain spots to police and ensure everybody keeps to social distancing rules."

To get involved, download the data form from the ORRCA website email the team on orrcacensusday@gmail.com

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