Volunteers on alert as whale season approaches

by Queensland DPI on 6 May 2007 With whale season just around the corner, Gold Coast volunteers who have played an integral role in averting potentially fatal whale entanglements in shark control equipment along the Gold Coast are to be recognised for their efforts and ongoing support.

Last year, 11 volunteers were trained to watch over Gold Coast waters and provide accurate information about possible animal entanglements in shark control equipment.

The Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries in conjunction with Sea World will formally thank those involved in the Volunteer Whale Observer Program throughout the 2006 whale migration season during a presentation ceremony at Sea World on the Gold Coast.

DPI & F Shark Control Program manager, Baden Lane said last winter the assistance of the volunteers improved the response time of the Marine Animal Rescue Team (MART) which, together with 2007 training, provides a good platform for the upcoming migration season.

'The volunteers receive binoculars and training from DPI&F about identification of legitimate animal entanglements including how to judge the length of the animal, their behaviour and distance from the equipment,' Mr Lane said.

'DPI & F is committed to taking every possible action to ensure non-target marine animal catches are minimised - following training, the volunteers are able to provide accurate reports to the department to enable swift responses.
'When the release team receives reports of possible whale entanglements, the volunteers are contacted to confirm the accuracy of these reports,' he said.

Sea World Director of Marine Sciences, Trevor Long, said that the volunteers had provided a marvellous service to the Gold Coast and the community.

'They are our eyes in the sky, and in the past have saved us a lot of time and resources by confirming or raising the alarm on an entrapment. Their contribution to the safety of these animals is enormous and we sincerely thank them', he said.

During the past 20 years, 28 humpback whales have been caught in shark control equipment in Queensland and 24 of these have been successfully released.

The 11 Whale Observer Program volunteers will be presented with certificates at Sea World on Thursday, May 3.

Anyone who spots a whale or other marine animal tangled in shark control equipment should call the 24-hour shark hotline on 1800 806 891. For more details, visit the Shark Control Program.

SCP equipment is currently installed at the following Queensland beaches:

Area	Beaches
Bundaberg	Bargara, Kelly's Beach, Nielson Park, Oaks Beach
Cairns	Buchans Point Beach, Clifton Beach, Ellis Beach, Holloways Beach, Palm Cove, Trinity Beach, Yorkeys Knob
Gold Coast	Broadbeach, Burleigh Beach, Bilinga Beach, Coolangatta Beach, Currumbin, Elkhorn Avenue, Greenmount Beach, Kirra Beach, Kurrawa Beach, Main Beach, Mermaid Beach, Sheraton Mirage Beach, Miami Beach, North Burleigh Beach, Northcliffe, North Kirra Beach, Narrow Neck, Nobby Beach, Palm Beach, Rainbow Bay, Staghorn Avenue, Surfers Paradise Beach, Tallebudgera Beach, Tugun Beach
Mackay	Blacks Beach, Bucasia Beach, Eimeo Beach, Harbour Beach, Lamberts Beach
Nth Stradbroke Is.	Amity Point, Cylinder Beach, Ocean Beach
Capricorn Coast	Cooee Bay, Emu Park, Farnborough Beach, Fisherman Beach, Kemp Beach, Lammermoor Beach, Mullambin Beach, Tanby Point, Yeppoon
Sunshine Coast	Alexandra Headland, Bribie Island, Buddina Beach, Caloundra, Castaways Beach, Coolum Beach, Currimundi, Hyatt Regency Resort, Marcus Beach, Marcoola Beach, Maroochydore Beach, Moffat Beach, Mooloolaba Beach, Mudjimba Beach, Noosa, Peregian Beach, Point Cartwright, Sunrise Beach, Sunshine Beach, Surfair Resort, Twin Waters Resort, Wurtulla, Yaroomba Beach
Gladstone	Tannum Sands
Townsville	Alma Bay, Florence Bay, Horseshoe Bay, Kissing Point, Nelly Bay, Pallarenda Beach, Picnic Bay, Radical Bay
Rainbow Beach	Rainbow Beach