SYDNEY, AAP - An elusive albino humpback whale not seen for almost two years is believed to be migrating north along the New South Wales coast. The whale, thought to be the only of its kind, could be near Byron Bay on the state's north coast this weekend, NSW Environment Minister Pam Allen said today.
Ms Allen urged whale watchers to maintain a lookout for the whale, which was last seen in October 1994 after being initially spotted in Queensland waters in October 1992.
"In effect it is like having a tagged whale which can be easily monitored," she said in a statement.
"It has caused intense interest in the scientific community ... it is unlikely there are two albino whales." The whale is believed to be a 13-metre long male, approaching 10 years old and weighing 40 tonnes.
Ms Allen said "any day now" southern right whales would appear of the NSW coast and warned anyone breaking laws on whale watching faced possible jail terms or fines. The NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service is currently studying the migration patterns of whales and anyone sighting them is asked to contact the service.