Macquarie University marine scientist Dr Vanessa Pirotta has launched the first Annual Humpback Day with a national whale education event attracting thousands as migration season begins along Australia's coastline.
6 May 2025
Macquarie University wildlife scientist Dr Vanessa Pirotta will launch the inaugural Annual Humpback Day this Wednesday 7 May with an educational webinar introducing Australian primary school students to the wonders of whale conservation.
The free online event, hosted in partnership with the Australian National Maritime Museum and CSIRO, has already attracted more than 2,600 registrations from across Australia and internationally.
Dr Pirotta, from the School of Natural Sciences, specialises in whale research and was a 2024 Eureka Prize Finalist for Promoting Understanding of Science, for her work making marine science widely accessible.
“I've been thinking about this initiative for a few years now,” Dr Pirotta says. “Every year as humpback whales migrate along the Australian coast, people flock to watch them; this is an educational opportunity and a wonderful way to engage the community in the wonders of our blue backyard.”
Dr Pirotta, named the 2025 NSW Woman of Excellence in the Premier’s Woman of the Year awards, has also written two books about whales: Humpback Highway, and the children’s book Voyage of Whale and Calf.
Population recovery
Humpback whale populations along Australia’s east coast have made a remarkable recovery since whaling was banned, increasing from a few hundred in the 1960s to approximately 40,000 today – a conservation success story Dr Pirotta has documented through her research and citizen science initiatives.
“The webinar serves as educational information on why the whales migrate to our waters, and also teaches ways to keep these magnificent animals safe,” she says.
Dr Pirotta has pioneered innovative research methods, including using drones to collect whale snot containing vital biological information such as DNA, hormones and bacteria.
Her science communication efforts include regular radio TV appearances on news and current affairs and even the legendary children’s show PlaySchool, helping whale safety and improve public behaviour around whale watching.
“My communication work helps people learn important knowledge about whale protection, such as maintaining appropriate distances of 100 metres with drones and boats,” she says.
The Annual Humpback Day webinar delivered live from the National Maritime Museum on 7 May is designed for students from Kindergarten to Year 6.
Join the webinar: https://www.sea.museum/en/learn/virtual-excursions/annual-humpback-day
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- Fran Molloy