An annual count of humpback whales in Cook Strait, New Zealand has resulted in 27 sightings - the most successful survey result in three years.

The survey is the fourth to assess the recovery of humpback whales since commercial whaling ended in 1963. The research counts humpbacks and other whales passing through Cook Strait and is timed to coincide with the peak period for whales migrating north to South Pacific breeding grounds.

Department of Conservation (DOC) conservancy marine specialist Nadine Gibbs, who led the survey, said she was extremely pleased with the outcome, especially as last year just 14 whales were seen and the year before 18 were counted. In the first year of the survey, 47 whales were counted.

10 biopsy samples were obtained during the recent survey and identification photos of six whales were taken. The samples will be sent to Auckland University for analysis and the photos added to a catalogue shared by other researchers in the South Pacific to find out if the whales have been seen elsewhere. 2008 will be the fifth and final year of the DOC-funded survey, after which there are plans to do a complete analysis of all the survey collected. However depending on funding, the researchers hope to continue the count for a few more years.