Sealers Cove

Sealers Cove

Sealers Cove was first visited by George Bass in 1798 and in keeping with the culture of the time he named it in accord with what commercial exploitation could be gained from it. Within a year a business associate of Bass’s had commenced sealing with activity peaking a few years later when up to 200 boats a year plied their trade in what was by then known as Bass Strait. By 1806 the population was so decimated that it was no longer profitable so attention was turned onto annihilating the whale and shearwater population instead (Shearwaters are commonly known as Muttonbirds in reference to their commercial value, these amazing birds migrate 15,000km every year between Bass Strait and the Berring Sea). This in turn was followed by logging with the Cove at one stage supporting a population of 60 souls, intent on deforesting it. Thankfully Wilsons Promontory National and Marine Park now protects these waters and once again nature is being left to run its course.

This particular shot was taken the day after 140mm of rain fell and you can see the tanin stained water coming out Sealers Creek and the way the entire cove has been diluted in colour compared to the more aqua water beyond the entrance. Earlier that morning I tragically counted 54 dead shearwaters on the beach that had succumbed to the previous day’s storm.

For more shots from this area check out my Wilsons Promontory gallery.

10% of all profits go to the Wilderness Society

Sealers Cove belongs to the following groups:

Conservation Photography, Environmental Awareness and Landscape Photography Available for sale as

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