Give Whales a Wide Berth During the Annual Migration
Published Monday, 09 June, 2008 at 09:00 AM
Minister for Sustainability, Climate Change and Innovation
The Honourable Andrew McNamara
One of the marine world’s great treks – the annual migration of humpback whales up the Australian east coast - has started, and Queenslanders are being asked to give the huge mammals a wide berth.
Minister for Sustainability, Climate Change and Innovation, Andrew McNamara, said regulations which set out approach limits are in place to protect both the whales and people from harm.
“Please play it safe around these huge, unpredictable animals,” Mr McNamara said.
“Give them some room and give them respect — they have been visiting our waters for thousands of years.
“People come from far and wide to see these majestic animals passing so close to our coastline and, with a little care, it can be a positive experience for both whales and people.
“Humpbacks migrate north from Antarctica in early autumn and usually reach our waters around the beginning of June, head up to the Whitsundays and further north to give birth and mate.
“They head south again from about August through to November.
“The number of humpbacks increases by about 10 per cent each year. There were around 9,000 last year.
“This is good news, but it also means boaties are more likely to encounter whales and potentially be in danger, especially if they are in smaller vessels.”
Mr McNamara said humpbacks are curious animals and are known to come up to boats and lie against or even push them, slap their massive tails or breach (leap out of the water) near boats.
“If a boat operator is concerned about their safety due to a whale’s behaviour, he or she should move away from the whale immediately,” Mr McNamara said.
“The whale-watching regulations are there to ensure everyone’s safety.
“They outline how close people can get to whales in boats, jet skis, aircraft and in the water.”
The following regulations apply to protect all whales during their migration:
• boats cannot go any closer than 100 metres from a whale;
• in the whale protection zone of the Whitsunday, Lindeman and Gloucester island groups where many whales deliver their calves, no boat can go closer than 300 metres;
• boats cannot go any closer than 300 metres to a whale if three or more boats are already closer than 300 metres to a whale;
• boats cannot go any closer than 300 metres if moving in a similar direction to or behind a whale, moving at more than four knots; and
• swimmers should exercise caution and move carefully away if a whale approaches or surfaces near them.
“The rules apply for all boats in State and Commonwealth waters,” Mr McNamara said.
“Penalties apply for breaching these regulations without reasonable excuse.
“The safest place for inexperienced people to observe migrating whales is from commercial whale-watching vessels or from dry land.”
The maximum penalty for intentionally moving closer to a whale than permitted under the conservation plan is $9,000. On-the-spot fines ranging from $225 to $375 may also apply for various contraventions of the conservation plan.
Mr McNamara said whale lovers were already looking out for Migaloo, a white humpback whale.
“Migaloo was reported only a few times in Queensland waters in 2007, starting in mid-June when he was spotted off the Tweed.
“If he turns up again this year, please give him space for a safe passage through our waters.”
Information about whales and regulations for whale-watching is at www.epa.qld.gov.au.
Media contact: Peter McCarthy 3336 8004
Minister for Sustainability, Climate Change and Innovation, Andrew McNamara, said regulations which set out approach limits are in place to protect both the whales and people from harm.
“Please play it safe around these huge, unpredictable animals,” Mr McNamara said.
“Give them some room and give them respect — they have been visiting our waters for thousands of years.
“People come from far and wide to see these majestic animals passing so close to our coastline and, with a little care, it can be a positive experience for both whales and people.
“Humpbacks migrate north from Antarctica in early autumn and usually reach our waters around the beginning of June, head up to the Whitsundays and further north to give birth and mate.
“They head south again from about August through to November.
“The number of humpbacks increases by about 10 per cent each year. There were around 9,000 last year.
“This is good news, but it also means boaties are more likely to encounter whales and potentially be in danger, especially if they are in smaller vessels.”
Mr McNamara said humpbacks are curious animals and are known to come up to boats and lie against or even push them, slap their massive tails or breach (leap out of the water) near boats.
“If a boat operator is concerned about their safety due to a whale’s behaviour, he or she should move away from the whale immediately,” Mr McNamara said.
“The whale-watching regulations are there to ensure everyone’s safety.
“They outline how close people can get to whales in boats, jet skis, aircraft and in the water.”
The following regulations apply to protect all whales during their migration:
• boats cannot go any closer than 100 metres from a whale;
• in the whale protection zone of the Whitsunday, Lindeman and Gloucester island groups where many whales deliver their calves, no boat can go closer than 300 metres;
• boats cannot go any closer than 300 metres to a whale if three or more boats are already closer than 300 metres to a whale;
• boats cannot go any closer than 300 metres if moving in a similar direction to or behind a whale, moving at more than four knots; and
• swimmers should exercise caution and move carefully away if a whale approaches or surfaces near them.
“The rules apply for all boats in State and Commonwealth waters,” Mr McNamara said.
“Penalties apply for breaching these regulations without reasonable excuse.
“The safest place for inexperienced people to observe migrating whales is from commercial whale-watching vessels or from dry land.”
The maximum penalty for intentionally moving closer to a whale than permitted under the conservation plan is $9,000. On-the-spot fines ranging from $225 to $375 may also apply for various contraventions of the conservation plan.
Mr McNamara said whale lovers were already looking out for Migaloo, a white humpback whale.
“Migaloo was reported only a few times in Queensland waters in 2007, starting in mid-June when he was spotted off the Tweed.
“If he turns up again this year, please give him space for a safe passage through our waters.”
Information about whales and regulations for whale-watching is at www.epa.qld.gov.au.
Media contact: Peter McCarthy 3336 8004