Whale Populations Rebound as Massive Ocean Gatherings Return

South Africa is witnessing record gatherings of humpback whales, with hundreds forming “super-groups”, signalling a strong global recovery of the species and improving ocean health.

“These are new whales, this is a population rebounding,” said Ted Cheeseman, founder of Happywhale and marine conservationist.

In December 2025, photographers identified 304 humpback whales in a single day, the highest number ever recorded, with 372 individuals documented across two days. Once reduced to less than 5% of their original population due to industrial whaling, humpbacks have recovered significantly since the 1980s moratorium, with southern hemisphere populations growing by up to 12% annually. Sightings of large groups have surged from 10 to 65 per year off South Africa’s west coast between 2015 and 2020, reflecting a rapid ecological rebound that supports marine ecosystems through nutrient cycling and long-distance migration.