THE first humpback whales of the season have been spotted off Brisbane, marking an early start to the whale migration season on the eastern seaboard.

At least two whales, thought to be a juvenile and mother, were seen swimming north about 100 metres off Moreton Island.

The island's Tangalooma resort director Trevor Hassard said one  of the whales was unusually light in colour and featured a large amount of white markings on its body.

"It could be that this little fellow is the offspring of Migaloo," he said in a statement.

Migaloo, the only known white humpback whale in the world, also travels via Moreton Bay.

Up to 16,000 whales could pass through Moreton Bay over the coming months, Mr Hassard said.

"The early sighting could indicate that Australia's humpback whale population is healthy and strong and on the increase," Mr Hassard said.

The east Australian humpback population is still recovering after large-scale, industrialised whale slaughter between 1949 and  1962.

The most recent survey estimated the population at 15,000, with an annual increase of 11 per cent.

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