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Whale moratorium welcomed in Australia

(27 Sep 2005)

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The decision to maintain a moratorium on commercial whaling has been hailed as great news for the Australian cruise and tourism industry.

Federal Tourism Minister Fran Bailey said the decision by the International Whaling Commission would help to protect the whale and dolphin watching industry on Australian shores.

Some 1.6 million visitors contribute to the £115 million of revenue generated directly and indirectly by this sector of the country's tourism.

"Clearly, lifting the moratorium protecting these magnificent animals would have had a disastrous effect not only on whale-watch tour operators, but also on other businesses and coastal communities that depend on whale-watching income," Ms Bailey said.

She said it is important to ensure the moratorium extension becomes a permanent ban and that this precious resource is preserved for future generations, Travelpress reports.

The popular Hervey Bay welcomes the arrival of humpback whales with a festival in August every year.

Hundreds of the 3,000 humpbacks that migrate between Antarctica and the Great Barrier Reef entertain whale watchers in the Queensland waters until October.

The fifth largest animal on earth draws thousand of visitors to the festival that features a Fleet Carnival, art displays, picnics and an illuminated parade.


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