WAVES OF DEBATE FOLLOW IN MIGHTY MIGALOO’S WAKE
MIGALOO got his majestic flukes out as he travelled past the Gold Coast yesterday.
And half a dozen boats were ready to spot the extremely rare white humpback when it appeared off Main Beach.
Conservation groups were also on standby.
Humpbacks and Highrises named and shamed boaties online who they claim broke Migaloo’s 500m special exclusion zone.
Breaches can lead to hefty fines of $20,000 and last year Environment Minister Stephen Miles even gave Migaloo a “bodyguard” as it travelled north up the coast because of boats coming too close.
But despite claims rules were broken yesterday Mr Miles would not say if his department would investigate alleged breaches.
“The Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service will continue to monitor Migaloo’s progress as he makes his way north today,” he said.
Humpbacks and Highrises co-founder Dr Jan Olaf Meynecke said at one stage yesterday there were six boats within the special exclusion zone.
“To be fair it wasn’t as bad as last year, but this animal can hardly escape the noise,” he said.
The skipper of Sea World Whale Watch said the vessel did not approach Migaloo and when the whale swam near the boat engines were immediately shut off.
Whales in Paradise boss Anthony Ardern also said he did not want to risk breaking the rules yesterday.
“Queensland is the only place where Migaloo has this special whale status,” he said. “Everywhere else he is just a normal whale.”
MIGALOO VIDEO AND GALLERY: goldcoastbulletin.com.au