Commercial fisherman Jason Moyce of Bermagui is in hospital with a new baby and with too much time on his hands.
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He was checking out possible fishing spots on the coast between his homeport and Tathra.
While on Google Earth on his phone, he spotted a mystery creature suspended in the crystal clear waters of the bay at the entrance to Nelson Lagoon.
He estimated it could be between 18 and 20 foot long, speculating whether it was a small whale or very large shark.
“Just makes you wonder what really is swimming around our beaches!” he posted on his Facebook.
Other comments on his own post and a Narooma News post suggested everything from a giant flathead to a bluefin tuna, but the more serious posters pointed the mystery creature’s shape was very whale like.
“Thats a whale for sure. The head shape, long pectorals ..body shape and tail...dead giveaway. It’s probably going to be a calf…” Andrew Ringrose commented.
The Google Earth satellite images could have been taken any number of months or years ago, but it just happens to the start of humpback whale season on the Far South Coast.
There have also been sightings of southern right whales that typically enjoying lolling about in sheltered bays such as at Nelson Lagoon.
There have been whales spotted off Dalmeny, Narooma, Mystery Bay and the Bermagui Blue Pools in the past week in what is an early start for the southerly migration of the humpbacks already returning from overwintering and birthing grounds of more tropical waters to the north.
Comments on Facebook again had people sharing their whale sightings and also noting the early migration.
The Department of Environment and Heritage meanwhile last week released dramatic footage of the humpback whale rescued at Montague Island after being reported by another commercial fisherman as being tangled in rope and a so-far unidentified buoy.
National Parks has urged fishers and boaters to always pease dispose of ropes and fishing equipment thoughtfully and report any distressed marine mammals to NPWS on 1300 361 967 or to ORCCA, the voluntary Organisation for the Rescue and Research of Cetaceans in Australia, on 9415 3333.
General whale sightings can also be to the Wild About Whales website and on social media using the #wildaboutwhales hashtag.
So what of Jason and his new baby?
He and partner Amy welcome to the world, Indiya Mazz Moyce, who was born at 6.30am Tuesday at Calvary John James Memorial Hospital weighing 3.3kg.
“Everyone doing well... She's a good sleeper so far,” mum reports.