Brisbane’s Whale Watching Season Open!
Posted by editor (editor) on Jun 27 2009
2009 >>

Tourism Minister Peter Lawlor along with Member for Redcliffe Lillian van Litsenburg officially welcomed the start of this year’s Brisbane Whale Watching Season at Redcliffe Jetty this morning.

Minister Lawlor said today was a positive day for Moreton Bay operators following a challenging six months.

“The area has had a tough start to 2009 with the recent oil spills, wild weather and the global financial crisis hitting the industry hard,” he said.

“It gives me great pleasure to open the start of the season which is gearing up for a bumper year.”

Captain and Managing Director of Brisbane Whale Watching Kerry Lopez said ten thousand whales were sighted on the Bay last year.

“With an estimated ten to twelve percent growth forecast for the season ahead it’s confirmation of a health whale population migrating through the Bay.

“These figures are really amazing considering there were only 100 whales in 1964.

“Not only are there countless pods of playful humpback whales to be sighted, but also the dolphins, logger-head turtles, bird-life and also some special repeat visitors, like Stitches, the whale identified with a cross mark.”

Captain Lopez showed Minister Lawlor and Lillian van Litsenburg onboard the multi-million dollar purpose built luxury catamaran MV Eye-Spy before this year’s inaugural whale watching tour.

“Many people believe they need to travel to the Gold Coast, or Hervey Bay to view these magnificent creatures in their natural habitat but it’s important to note that this extraordinary experience can be accessed so easily from Brisbane,” Lillian said.

“I’ve been whale watching off Redcliffe and as one of the top experiences Queensland has to offer Moreton Bay is a great place to do it.”

Minister Lawlor said the Brisbane Whale Watching industry generates approximately $2million a year.

Brisbane Whale Watching has been operating for the past 14 years and holds one of only two permits licensed to operate commercial cruises in the Moreton Bay Marine Park.

Tours depart daily at 10am from 27 June until November from Redcliffe Jetty.

Last changed: Oct 06 2009 at 3:26 PM