General News
12 November, 2025
Having whale of a time
MOVES are underway to make the waters off the Douglas Shire coast one of the whale-watching hot spots of the world.
Douglas Shire Council is backing a community-led proposal by the Douglas Local Marine Advisory Committee to secure recognition from the World Cetacean Alliance as Queensland’s third Whale Heritage Area (WHA) outside Hervey Bay and the Whitsundays.
It could become one of just 12 international whale-watching destinations.
WHA is a globally-recognised status that highlights responsible whale and dolphin tourism and community-led conservation.
Mayor Lisa Scomazzon said the council was pleased to support the initiative for a WHA.
“It’s not unusual for tourists heading out to the Ribbon Reefs to spot whales – it’s often the highlight of their trip,” she said.
“It’s another reason for visitors to choose Douglas Shire as a world-class destination.”
Marine committee member Cr Abigail Noli told last week’s shire council meeting that a WHA recognised regions that “foster positive relationships between whales and people … it promotes stewardship and responsible tourism”.
She said it did not impose any statutory obligations on council.
“It’s obviously economic potential to boost tourism. It may enhance conservation efforts and responsible whale-watching tourism,” Cr Noli said.
Cr Damian Meadows said it was “a great idea”.
“You’ve seen the success of, well, preservation, you know, up and down the east coast of Australia and internationally,” he said.
“It’s certainly animals that are just, they’re amazing to actually watch in the wild.
“And if it does, as Councillor Noli suggested, if it does increase our presence out in the Reef, if it’s done correctly, there’s no impact on the animals themselves.
“So, I think it’s a great idea.”
Wavelength, a Port Douglas dive and whale watching company, has been hosting whale-watching tours for more than a decade.
Operator and marine biologist Jenny Edmondson said the proposal was a “great idea”.
She said the region was a hidden gem for whale tourism.
“I think it is a great idea and everyone in the area is so passionate about it,” Ms Edmondson said.
“We get great sightings of initial phases and mixed groups and mothers and calves … there’s very few people that don’t get excited about seeing them,” she said.
“They aren’t scared of people and sometimes I think they are even showing off.”
Ms Edmondson said whale sightings had grown dramatically.
“The numbers have increased considerably in the past 11 years,” she said.
“I would say about 95% of sightings we see are from humpbacks.”
Between May and September thousands of humpback and dwarf minke whales make the 10,000 kilometre trek from Antarctic to breed and rear calves in the tropical waters off Cairns and Port Douglas.
More than 50,000 humpback whales migrate along Australia’s east coast every year, with an estimated 2000 venturing as far north as Cairns and Port Douglas.
