Annual Humpback Day

Webinar

Photo of a whale's tail out sticking vertically out of the ocean.

Meet marine biologists Dr Vanessa Pirotta and Dr Ben Arthur and learn all about one of the largest animals in the sea!

To celebrate the arrival of whales to Australian waters, this session will dive into the world of magnificent marine mammals. Students will hear about these fascinating marine giants and how Vanessa and other scientists research whales. From whale snot drones to whale poo, this session is whale-y fun!

This session will also include a Q&A section where students will have the opportunity to ask questions about marine animals.

Presented by Dr Vanessa Pirotta, CSIRO and the Australian National Maritime Museum.

Photo of 2 people, a woman and a man, wearing fluro orange vests and standing on the deck of a very large, white ship.

CSIRO Fraser Johnston

Special guests

Dr Vanessa Pirotta

Vanessa is one of Australia’s most renowned wildlife scientists. Her research uses innovative technologies for wildlife conservation, working collaboratively across marine/terrestrial environments and merging cutting edge tech to access animals in unique ways- think drones to collect whale snot. She leads the Wild Sydney Harbour citizen science program, which is learning more about marine life in Sydney Harbour, Australia.

Vanessa is a proud children’s book author, with her book The Voyage of Whale and Calf, serving as an annual reminder of humpback whale biology and ecology in Australian waters. In 2024, Vanessa also published two additional books; The Humpback Highway: Diving into the mysterious world of whales and a second children’s book, Oceans at Night. In 2025, Vanessa was named the NSW Premiers Woman of Excellence.

Dr Ben Arthur, CSIRO

Ben is a marine ecologist and science educator with CSIRO. He has researched marine mammals and seabirds in the sub-Antarctic and Antarctica, and is passionate about our natural world, how science helps us makes sense of it and inspiring others about it. Ben is the Engagement Programs Coordinator with the CSIRO Marine National Facility and is a Founding Director of the Macquarie Island Conservation Foundation.