With Humpback whales starting to migrate from the icy cold waters of the Antarctic to the balmy waters of the Great Barrier Reef Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority’s species conservation manager, Mark Read, urged whale-watching enthusiasts and visitors to keep a safe distance for the safety of these majestic creatures, as well as onlookers.
“These giants of the deep never cease to amaze, even for people like whale researchers or tourism operators who are lucky enough to have interactions with them each year,” Dr Read said.
Dr Read stated that according to the regulations Vessels need to stay more than 100 metres away from a whale, while in the Whitsundays Whale Protection Area the distance is 300 metres. Dr Read added that Humpbacks make the trek to the Reef between May and September to court, mate, give birth or rear their calves.

“The number of humpback whales is growing annually by 10 to 11 per cent, so one of the best things we can do to reduce the risk to the whales and the people watching them is to abide by approach distances.” Dr Read commented
Dr Read explained that the east coast population of humpback whales has slowly clawed back from the edge of extinction since whaling was stopped in the early 1960s, adding that it’s believed numbers were reduced to 200–500 individuals, compared to the current estimate of around 17,000–19,000.
Dr Read explained that there are fifteen species of whales can be found in the Great Barrier Reef. While humpback whales are the most commonly sighted, other species include dwarf minke whales which are largely seen in the far northern part of the Marine Park, as well as false killer whales, killer whales, short-finned pilot whales, sperm whales and various beaked whales