New Zealand whales back after earthquake

This video says about itself:

10 August 2016

Kaikoura is the Whale Watching capital of New Zealand, every Whale Watch tour is a unique experience and the sightings vary. Giant Sperm Whales are the stars of the show and year-round residents. A typical Whale Watch tour may encounter New Zealand Fur Seals, pods of Dusky Dolphins and the endangered Wandering Albatross. Depending on the season you may also see migrating Humpback Whales, Pilot Whales, Blue Whales and Southern Right Whales. Kaikoura often hosts the worlds largest dolphin the Orca and is home to the worlds smallest and rarest marine dolphin the Hector’s. Kaikoura also attracts the largest concentration and variety of seabirds on mainland New Zealand including 13 species of Albatross, 14 varieties of Petrels and 7 types of Shearwater.

By Cate Broughton in New Zealand:

Excitement as first whales seen off Kaikoura coast since earthquake

17:59, November 20 2016

With their distinctive clicks the whales were back.

For Whale Watch Kaikoura general manager Kauahi Nga Pora and two staff, it came as a huge relief.

Using a tracking device called a hydrophone they were able to pick up the sound made by whales.

“We put the hydrophone in and then all of a sudden we heard the clicks… so instantly we knew there was a whale there, so obviously there was a fair amount of celebrating going on just with that.”

Six days after the 7.8 magnitude earthquake a high tide allowed the Whale Watch crew to get their boat out and check on the tahora – the sperm whale Kaikoura is famed for.

About 30 minutes after the clicks they tracked it down and were overcome with emotion, Nga Pora said.

“..the whale came up and it was just.. party time. Just to be right next to the whale after everything that has gone on it was quite, quite emotional actually.”

Nga Pora said he felt deep down the whales would not abandon their home in Kaikoura but with experts and scientists unsure of their response to the disruption of the quake, he was uncertain.

After the first sighting they moved to another location and saw another four whales.

As the group headed back to the coastline they saw seals, Dusky dolphins and birds including albatross, Nga Pora said.

“So that whole canyon environment that has built Kaikoura is still there, so that’s a significant boost to us all.”

There are still huge obstacles ahead before the business can open to tourists again, including access to Kaikoura and repair of the marina, which is now unusable in low tide.

But Nga Pora said seeing the whales had given him the drive to make it work once again.

“So once all those material things are fixed, the fabric and the core of the place is still there so we will be able to charge on and deliver the experience that so many people want to enjoy.”

With many homes destroyed, no water or power and cut off from assistance by road, the business and it’s staff had been in “survival mode”, looking after the people affected by earthquake.

It was not until Sunday, six days later, their thoughts turned to the future and the whales it depended on.

Whale Watch Kaikoura employs between 50-70 people and is the largest employer in the township, Nga Pora said.

“Our fortunes align with the fortune of many people and many rely on Whale Watch to survive.”