There is no denying that the Gold Coast beach replenishment project has kept humpback whales away from shore. It has been a challenging whale season for all commercial operators and research groups that had to burn the extra fuel in order to get encounters with the majestic giants. We have listened to the dredging noise via underwater microphones, kilometres away from the dredging work hence, we are not surprised that whales steered clear of the Gold Coast shoreline. The dredging works are now completed and it seems whales are now seen immediately close to shore, dangerously close to the shark nets and drum lines.
The whale season is not over yet and we are heading out again with the team of Humpback and High-rises for an half-day survey trip. This unique morning boat trip will give you a personalised experience. Since we are part of a research program, we have a permit to approach whales as close as 50m. We will obviously only do this without compromising the safety and free movement of the animal. Since our vessel is small, chances are whales will come up close to check us out.
You will help the team of Dr. Olaf by collecting survey data including but not limited to recording numbers within individual pods, dive times, surface behaviour, collecting skin and mucus samples and obviously taking lots of close up photographs. Furthermore, your participation will help to fund Dr. Olaf’s work. More information about the research can be found on HHR website: https://www.humpbacksandhighrises.org/
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