Migaloo the famous white humpback whale is about to enter Queensland waters on his 2006 migration. Pilots, skippers, swimmers and snorkellers are urged to respect the special limits around the whale. Environment Minister Desley Boyle said Migaloo had again been declared a 'special interest' whale in Queensland waters this year to ensure he could swim freely.

'A 'special interest' whale declaration means no-one can drive a boat or Jet Ski closer than 500m or fly an aircraft closer than 2000ft to the whale without written permission,' Ms Boyle said. 'If these conditions are breached, the maximum penalty is $12,375.'

Migaloo was seen off Coffs Harbour on Sunday, June 25 and at Byron Bay and is expected to enter Queensland any day but as he is a wild animal he will take his own time. The first reported sighting of Migaloo was in 1991 off Byron Bay, when he was three to five years old. His unusual colouring makes him easy to track, which gives scientists valuable information about whale migration. While acknowledging Migaloo is of great interest to the public, Ms Boyle urged people to respect the special regulations to ensure his safe passage and to follow the general regulations for other whales.

'Whales are now being seen in numbers off the coast, as they head north to warm tropical waters where many females will give birth,' Ms Boyle said. 'If they're not harassed on their migration, they should keep coming back for us to enjoy,' she said.

The following regulations apply to protect all whales during their migration:

• a boat cannot go any closer than 100 metres from a whale, except in the whale protection zone of the Whitsunday, Lindeman and Gloucester island groups where the approach limit is 300 metres;
• boats cannot go any closer than 300 metres from 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.

There are also regulations applying to aircraft and personal watercraft such as Jet Skis.