Published Wednesday, 27 August, 2008 at 04:04 PM
Minister for Sustainability, Climate Change and Innovation
The Honourable Andrew McNamara
EPA monitors stranded minke
Environmental Protection Agency rangers are monitoring Platypus Bay in the Great Sandy Marine Park following the stranding of a four to five metre long minke whale on Fraser Island’s western beach earlier this morning.
Minister for Sustainability Climate Change and Innovation Andrew McNamara said kayakers found the live whale stranded near Wathumba Creek on Fraser Island’s north west beach and notified researchers from the Oceania Project whale research program who are currently working in the Great Sandy Marine Park.
“The EPA is advised that the stranded whale was assisted back into the water and was reported to be alright,” Mr McNamara said.
“At this time, we have no further information available however an EPA vessel will patrol the area throughout the day in the unlikely event that the whale restrands.
“Advice that the whale was able to swim away is good news and we thank those who reported the stranding and were on hand to assist its return to the water.
“Minke whales are frequent visitors to the Great Sandy Marine Park, as are large numbers of humpback whales who spend time to socialise in Hervey Bay on their return south to Antarctica at the end of winter.
“With whale numbers increasing every year we do expect to see a few strandings along the Queensland coast each season.”
The minke whale is one of the two smallest baleen whales, the other being the pygmy right whale. They have a slender and very streamlined body with a narrow and pointed head and a prominent dorsal fin. Its fin and back are usually dark grey or black white, its belly is white and the upper side of each flipper also feature a white band.
Mr McNamara said boaties and commercial whale watching operators in the area could possibly encounter the minke and if they did, asked them to pass on concerns they may have regarding the animal to the EPA stranding hotline on 1300 130 372.
“I remind anyone out in boats, jet skis, aircraft and in the water that there are regulations regarding how close they can get to whales," Mr McNamara said.
He said the following regulations applied 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.
Further information about whales and regulations for whale-watching is at www.epa.qld.gov.au.
Minister for Sustainability Climate Change and Innovation Andrew McNamara said kayakers found the live whale stranded near Wathumba Creek on Fraser Island’s north west beach and notified researchers from the Oceania Project whale research program who are currently working in the Great Sandy Marine Park.
“The EPA is advised that the stranded whale was assisted back into the water and was reported to be alright,” Mr McNamara said.
“At this time, we have no further information available however an EPA vessel will patrol the area throughout the day in the unlikely event that the whale restrands.
“Advice that the whale was able to swim away is good news and we thank those who reported the stranding and were on hand to assist its return to the water.
“Minke whales are frequent visitors to the Great Sandy Marine Park, as are large numbers of humpback whales who spend time to socialise in Hervey Bay on their return south to Antarctica at the end of winter.
“With whale numbers increasing every year we do expect to see a few strandings along the Queensland coast each season.”
The minke whale is one of the two smallest baleen whales, the other being the pygmy right whale. They have a slender and very streamlined body with a narrow and pointed head and a prominent dorsal fin. Its fin and back are usually dark grey or black white, its belly is white and the upper side of each flipper also feature a white band.
Mr McNamara said boaties and commercial whale watching operators in the area could possibly encounter the minke and if they did, asked them to pass on concerns they may have regarding the animal to the EPA stranding hotline on 1300 130 372.
“I remind anyone out in boats, jet skis, aircraft and in the water that there are regulations regarding how close they can get to whales," Mr McNamara said.
He said the following regulations applied 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.
Further information about whales and regulations for whale-watching is at www.epa.qld.gov.au.