JET SKI RIDERS WARNED TO KEEP DISTANCE:
THERE are renewed calls for water users to “go slow near the blow”, after whale watchers witnessed jet ski riders getting uncomfortably close to migrating whales this week.
Spirit of Gold Coast’s Angela Del Bianco said their vessel had produced flyers and cards with Department of Environment and Heritage contact information, to give to passengers who wanted to lodge complaints.
“The potential for damage is unbelievable,” she said.
“We need people to help us, help the whales. Over the years it’s become an increasing problem. Jet skis come with us and once we spot whales, they (riders) get too close.
“I don’t know whether it’s ignorance or just lack of knowledge, but it’s a major concern.
“We have to protect them – this new generation of whales, they’re comfortable with us, but I don’t want them to be damaged because of people’s ignorance.”
One passenger contacted the Department following an incident on Saturday.
“On three separate occasions two jet ski operators rapidly approached separate and unrelated whale pods which were being quietly observed by the vessel Spirit of Gold Coast,” he said in his letter to the Department,
“The jet skis approached at speeds in excess of 20 knots and closed the pods to a distance of approximately 50 meters – well within the allowed 300 meters.
“The jet skis would remain in the area of the pods until the whales became agitated and dived/tail flipped for the safety of depth.”
The reissued warning for boaties and jet ski users comes as a humpback whale missing a large chunk of its back was spotted off the Gold Coast earlier this week.
Dr Olaf Meynecke, CEO of Humpbacks and High-Rises and whale researcher with Griffith University, said the injured whale was first seen 8km off the Gold Coast on Tuesday, swimming with “the worst wounds I’ve ever seen”.
“The whale caught the attention of researchers who saw a white scar visible in the distance,” Dr Meynecke said.
“When they got closer, they were able to see severe damage to the whale’s back, just in front of the dorsal fin.
“It looks like the wound is about two to three weeks old.
“But it’s one of the worst I’ve ever seen. You do see scarred animals, with propeller cuts or chunks missing, but this is something quite significant, such a deep wound – something you’d see every couple of years or so.”
It was not clear how it came to lose the chunk of flesh, but Dr Meynecke said “we suspect a recent boat strike”.