Whaling ban must stay


The first whales of the 2009 migration pass by the Coast. Photo:Mark Furler/183271. And (inset) Bindi, Bob and Terri Irwin were there to celebrate the start of the new season. Photo:Jason Dougherty
Photo Gallery: 2009 whale migration begins

These whales spotted at the 2009 launch of Australia Zoo Whale Encounters are among the first to be passing by the Coast this season.


Terri Irwin has voiced fears that the global ban on whale hunting could be lifted as numbers increase.

Speaking at the launch of Australia Zoo Whale Encounters’ new season yesterday, Ms Irwin said she believed the endangered species system should be revamped to ensure vulnerable species did not fall off the list.

“I believe once an animal is listed it should be listed in perpetuity,’’ Ms Irwin said.

Whale hunting has been banned since 1986 but since then it is estimated more than 30,000 whales have been killed for food and research.

While Ms Irwin said humpback whale numbers had been steadily increasing around Australia, the public had to remain vigilant.

“We are worried that once the humpback whales numbers are increased we might see commercial whaling being considered again,’’ she said.

Four nations, including Japan, continue to hunt whales, despite the efforts of anti whaling groups like the Sea Shepherd and its ‘pirate’ boat named Steve Irwin.

Whale watching is estimated to be worth $1 billion globally, compared to just $40 million for whale hunting. “It seems that it is a pretty obvious business decision,’’ Ms Irwin said.

She said the economic value of a whale for tourism had been estimated at $1 million over its lifetime for a small nation like Tonga.

Ms Irwin was joined by her son Robert, dressed as a pirate, and daughter, Bindi, who was in a sailor’s outfit, as she launched the Mooloolaba based whale watching tours.

Bindi, who stars in Free Willy 4, said whales were ‘gorgeous’ and ‘as abig as dinosaurs’.

“We really need to protect them for our children’s children and future generations,’’ the young conservationist said.

Steve’s Whale One skipper Shane Matterson said he was hoping this season would be a ‘ripper’, even topping last year where there were sightings of pods of playful humpbacks, dolphins, Stumpy, the whale without a tail, and minke whales.

Yesterday, media and tourism guests were treated to a spectacular breaches, aggressive mating behaviour, tail slaps and blows, about 16 nautical miles off Mooloolaba.

The tours, which start at 10am and return at 2.30pm,guarantee sightings. If no whales are spotted, a free return tour, including the lunch, is offered.

But based on how playful the whales were yesterday, it’s not likely to be needed.