Australia consider whale watching law review

An increased interest in blue whales off the coast of South Australia has prompted discussions to change the state’s governing whale watching laws. These marine mammals feed in the waters between Cape Otway in south-west Victoria and Kangaroo Island in South Australia during summer and the interest from tour operators is increasing.

The management of the area is governed by state laws in Victoria and South Australia, and Commonwealth laws which means protection of the animals is governed by three different jurisdictions and competing rules exist. Talks are under way to bring conflicting rules and regulations into line and having consistency would make it easier for everyone involved in the whale watching industry.

Watching dolphins, whales and other wildlife is a fantastic opportunity for people to learn about the animals in their natural surroundings rather than in the controlled and unrealistic surroundings of a marine park or zoo, however this has to be done ethically and with great care not to impact upon the natural daily pattern of the animals lives; they must be allowed to socialise, rest and feed without disturbance and good standards of whale watching practice are vital to achieve this.

Blue whales are an endangered species and the largest animal ever to live on earth. They can reach well over 80 feet in length and its heart is the size of a Volkswagen car. Their populations were severely depleted by whaling with approximately 300,000 of the whales being taken in the Southern Hemisphere during the 20th century.