9 minute read
FEATURE STORY – Whale season is here and we love it!
A whale of
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a time!
As debate rages over Queensland’s shark control program, the public desire grows to protect these gentle giants of the deep that never fail to put on a show as they pass our coastline in seemingly greater numbers each year on their annual migration. WORDS: Ingrid Nelson with AAP.
There is nothing quite as spectacular as the sight of a humpback whale up close. Whether they are launching their enormous bodies out of the ocean or putting on a show by slapping fins for enthralled audiences, whale watching is an experience you’ll never forget.
This year, we have seen a proliferation of the majestic mammals migrating north following their summer of feeding in Antarctic waters. They travel up to 5000 kilometres, with many stopping in the Hervey Bay district to mate and give birth, before moving south back through our waters from September to November.
Thankfully, these charismatic creatures are now protected following needless culling of close to 85,000 humpbacks between the late 1940s and 1962. The International Whaling Commission banned humpback whaling the following year, but it’s estimated that the population passing our east coast had dwindled to as little as 100. Thankfully, environmental sanctions have resulted in the population recovering substantially.
About 40,000 humpback whales now pass the Sunshine Coast each year, also giving birth to calves.
“It’s been an an epic year for whale numbers,” Johnny Fell, operations manager and dive instructor at Sunreef Mooloolaba, says.
“It was only earlier this year we heard the announcement that they have been removed from the threatened species list and we are really seeing that first hand on the Sunshine Coast.
“We have had pretty consistent sightings, even up until now. At this time of year, we would expect to see the whales thinning out, but we are still seeing them off the coastline and in inshore waters.
“Lots of mothers and calves, so it’s been absolutely amazing.”
Named after an obvious hump in front of their small dorsal, humpback whales are known for being one of the most playful species of whale in the ocean, hence their popularity. But it’s the sheer size and elegance of these beautiful creatures that takes your breath away.
“When we are out on Whale One, which is a 20-metre vessel, we often see fully grown humpback whales that come in at around 17 metres – just a couple of metres shorter than the boat. It’s pretty impressive,” Mr Fell says.
“The grace and the majesty of them and how playful they are as well is just amazing. It’s certainly a very impressive thing to see a whale get its whole body out of the water or showing off some of its fin slapping and a swagger of other behaviours that people just can’t get enough of.”
Witnessing whale watchers’ sheer amazement when they experience humpback whales up close for the first
Johnny Fell
time is something that never gets old for this marine veteran.
Sunreef Mooloolaba has been allowing people to get up close and personal with these magnificent mammals for many decades on the Coast on board the popular Whale One catamaran, which was fully refurbished in 2019, as well as the Swim With The Whales experience for the more adventurous. “Whales really can be appreciated by everybody. Whale watching on Whale One is suitable for any age or walk of life,” Mr Fell says.
“It’s a large, comfortable boat with multi levels and viewing decks all the way around the boat. So, you will be able to get as close as you can to the whales without getting into the water. We have been doing whale watching on the Coast for many decades and we think the whales actually recognise the boat now.
“We are only able to approach up to 100 metres from the whale. Everything else is up to them. But when we turn the boat off, more often than not, the whales will come closer and give our guests a real show. It’s an awesome experience.”
For those who want to get even closer, the Swim With The Whales experience is the way to go.
“Below the surface, we can approach up to 30 metres of the whales. These whales are intelligent, they are social and very close to us in many respects in terms of personality and inquisitiveness,” Mr Fells says. “When we are in the water with them, they will come as close as they are comfortable with. They have unique personalities. So, they will either come right over to us or swim below us or around us. It’s 100 per cent organic and all on the whale’s terms.”
In celebration of the season, Sunreef Mooloolaba also launched a 24-metre
IMAGE: SUNREEF
whale-watching boat to give guests the best experience to see these majestic animals up close in their natural environment.
The T6 has been brought down from Cairns for the season in anticipation of continuing company growth.
“T6 is an incredible vessel for up to 100 guests with great whale-watching viewing on the top deck, both inside and outside, and great viewing on the bow, stern and inside on the bottom level as well,” Sunreef Mooloolaba’s Dan Hart says. “We are trialling T6 to see how she could potentially extend our whalewatching, scuba-diving and snorkelling offerings throughout the year.”
THE SHARK NET DEBATE
Despite their growing numbers, humpback whales still face many threats.
Humans remain the primary threat to the mammals, commonly via entanglement in shark nets and fishing gear, boat strikes and pollution.
Fisheries Queensland estimates 40,000 whales migrate along Queensland’s coastline each year, with six entanglements reported on average. Since 2013, there have been 57 entanglements, with 55 whales released alive.
Queensland’s shark control program includes nets and drumlines at 86
Sea Shepherd Australia is also calling on the state government to replace shark nets with modern alternatives.
“Whales are one of the most iconic marine species on this planet, and the feats they make as they circumnavigate the world are beyond astounding,” campaigner Lauren Sandeman says.
“By keeping shark nets in their path against scientific advice, each year we purposely endanger them with a slow and gruelling death.”
Mr Fell says while he can appreciate both sides of the argument, it doesn’t make it any easier to witness these intelligent creatures caught in the nets.
“It’s a tragedy, that’s for sure,” he says. “Whenever we hear about a whale being caught in the shark nets, it’s the last thing we want to hear. It’s sad, because these animals are hyper intelligent.
“I can fully understand those who argue human life is the most important thing but we are out there every day with these animals and witnessing the beauty and majesty and intelligence of them.
beaches. Trials are underway for new technology including drones and catch-alert “smart” drumlines. Electronic warning devices such as acoustic pingers are also used to alert whales and dolphins of nearby nets. It’s a contentious issue and one that has caused a divided argument between environmentalists and the government for many years.
“The minister’s own scientific experts advised him to trial a removal of the nets during the whale-migration season,” marine biologist with Humane Society International Lawrence Chlebeck says.
“Each year that the advice is not acted on will only see more whales entangled.”
A Shark Control Program Working Group supported trialling the replacement of some nets with drumlines in 2020, but Queensland Fisheries Minister Mark Furner says human life will always come first.
“We are investing in research and technology, but we simply will not make changes to the program unless we are convinced they are safe in Queensland conditions,” he says.
“Our contractors and marine animal rescue teams do amazing work to minimise impacts on other marine life, while maintaining a (shark control) program that has helped to keep Queenslanders safe since 1962.” • Humpback tail patterns are unique. • They have the longest migration on the planet. • Not all populations migrate. • Their songs can last for hours. • Humpbacks have baleen plates instead of teeth. • They eat thousands of kilograms of food per day. • They can live up to 90 years. • Baby humpbacks weigh about 20,000 kilograms. • Fully grown, they can weigh up to 30 tonnes. • Female humpback whales are usually larger than males.
“It strikes hard. I don’t profess to be an expert on the topic, but what I do know is that there are some emerging technologies that seem to be producing a better outcome for humans and animals – non-lethal, deterring devices rather than the Queensland (shark control) program, which was designed a long time ago.
“I believe a bigger picture, longer term solution is what we are after.
“It’s not just the whales that are getting harmed in these nets, it’s turtles spotted eagle rays, as well as dolphins and a whole swagger of marine life.
Most of these sharks being caught in the nets are not what are considered target species.
“It’s about the broader ecology of the environment.”
IMAGE: SUNREEF
KEEP A SAFE DISTANCE
The Department of Environment and Science stresses that with high whale numbers this year, it’s important that boaties, jet ski users and anglers keep back a safe legal distance. • Boaties and fishers must not be closer than 100 metres from a whale and 50 metres from a dolphin. • Jet skis cannot approach within 300 metres of whales or dolphins. • Boat operators should also be mindful of the ‘three-boat rule’ in which a boat cannot be any closer than 300 metres from whales and 150 metres from dolphins if three boats are already present. • A $718 fine and other penalties may apply to those breaching these approach distances.
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