Whale Mail July: Whale watching, Moreton Bay
Written by Captain Kerry Lopez, Brisbane Whale Watching
Since launching our 28th season on June 8, already over 100 humpback whales have been sighted in Moreton Bay Marine Park from Eye Spy, our purpose-built vessel.
See the photo gallery at the end of this column
This season, Eye Spy has undergone a $2 million facelift to enhance its eco-friendly capabilities.
We’ve installed new MTU engines and generators, which are quieter and reduce fuel consumption and emissions. These engines also shut down half the cylinders when idling, minimising emissions further. Additionally, new skewback propellers have been fitted to reduce noise for the whales and our guests.
The eco-friendly improvements to Eye Spy ensure our tours are both exhilarating and respectful to the marine environment.
In the last 28 years, I’ve watched the whale population grow since commercial whaling stopped in the early 1960s, allowing our guests to see a greater variety of marine life.
When I first started going out it would take an hour to find a pod of whales. Now, we’re experiencing an Australian success story, a species once endangered by hunting is now in full recovery.
It’s going to be an exciting season, with more than 40,000 whales. The humpback super highway will be very busy.
Our crew looks forward to welcoming you onboard to witness the wonders of Moreton Bay.