Have a whale of a time within the law
The boating industry has urged the public to get on the water and witness the annual whale migration up the Queensland coast - but to stay within the lawBoating Industry Association of Qld (BIAQ) suggested the public go out with relatives or friends in private boats or as passengers in whale watch vessels.
BIAQ general manager, Barry Hibberd, said public involvement with the annual migration would create better understanding and long term protection for the species. But he warned enthusiasm for the whales needed to be tempered with care and observation of certain rules.
"Whales have protection under state and federal law to ensure their journey is uninterrupted," said Hibberd.
He said the laws were to keep boats a certain distance from the whales so their migratory routines were not disrupted.
A boat must not be: within 100m of a whale; in the path of a whale, causing it to go within 100m of the boat; moved so it that causes the whale to alter its direction, speed or behaviour; operated between members of a pod of whales.
A boat should not be within 300m of a whale: if three or more boats are within 300m of it; if it is moving in a similar direction to or behind a whale; or if it is moving at more than four knots.
Jetskis must not be within 300m, and swimmers should not enter or be in the water within 300m of a whale.
For more info, phone 3899 3333.
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