National Whale Day

Driven by International conservation group IFAW, National Whale Day is held annually with events held right across Australia raising awareness of whale conservation. The number and diversity of events all over the country on the day illustrates how valuable whales are to Australians and that we are united in our commitment to protect them. 

The whale watch capital of the world took to the waters on 5 June 2010 to host a National Whale Day event to send an important message- that Hervey Bay does not support whaling. Here is the story.... 

Hervey Bay Residents Take to the Water for Whales

On Saturday June 5, the water at Torquay Beach in Hervey Bay was bubbling with people but for a minute, there wasn't a sound...

The cool water temperature did not freeze the passion for Hervey Bay’s humpbacks with over 400 paddlers taking to the water to show their support of their whales. The Paddle Out saw 507 flowers being released into the water during a one-minute silence with black arm bands being worn to represent the number of whales taken last hunting season in the southern whale sanctuary. Paddlers cheered and waved their paddles excitedly to the overhead spotter plane who photographed the event from above.

Those who couldn’t Paddle Out still joined in and lined the water’s edge to release flowers and take part in the minute’s reflection where they were asked to consider the man-made threats whales face today.

Participants were asked to consider the life journey of each whale taken as they released their flower into the water. Local resident Susan King was one of the Paddlers who took part in the stunt yesterday afternoon and admits she was moved by the Paddle Out.

“It was an amazing feeling being united out in the water with 400 or so paddlers that turned out for the same reason. To think that the amount of whales that were taken last hunting season was about the same as the amount of paddlers in the water is a shocking reality and it has to end.”

The event was timely happening two weeks ahead of the International Whaling Commission meeting in Morocco to discuss a proposal that could have seen a return to commercial whaling for the first time since 1986.

Organiser of the event Vicki Neville says the day saw an overwhelming response from the community and organisers were more than satisfied with the turn out.

“We can’t say enough thanks to those who turned out to show their support. From volunteers, to performers and of course the Paddlers, we are just overwhelmed with the support. The event proved to us and the Government that Hervey Bay does not agree with the proposal to see a return to commercial whaling. Events like the Paddle Out are so important to educate our community why our whales are so important in a town that depends so much on whale tourism. If we can teach people about the individual whales and their stories, then we can save them.”

And it wasn’t just the Paddle Out that had to be experienced to be believed. The Hervey Bay community inspired famous sand sculptor Steve Machell to turn the Paddle Out message into a feature sand sculpture. The sand master unveiled a giant whale tail being carefully held by a giant pair of hands.

“The hands are representative of the care and protection shown by the Hervey Bay community for their humpback whales. As the whale watch capital, you’ve got the whole whale world in your hands and that’s truly inspirational,” said Steve.

Once the Paddlers came to shore, the beach fell silent with a further one-minute silence before Wally Franklin from the Oceania Project addressed participants with an emotional speech about Hervey Bay’s whales which he and wife Trish have come to know personally. Wally was framed by 30 icon humpback whale tails positioned around the event which his wife Trish has photographed and catalogued over the years.

“What an amazing platform Hervey Bay has given whale conservation through this event. My wife Trish and I were moved to tears watching the Paddlers take to the water as the recordings of whale songs we recorded called out in the background. Hervey Bay has given a voice to those who cannot speak for themselves and we thank you for being a part of the journey. I have to say, today would have to be one of the best experiences I have ever been involved with in my life. The support has just been overwhelming.”

National Whale Day takes place each June in Hervey Bay. Stay tuned to the Hervey Bay Whale Festival website to find out details of next year's event and how you can get involved.

Why are Whales so Important to Hervey Bay?

Whales enrich our environment and are an important industry to Hervey Bay generating around $70 million dollars to the local economy. It's now our turn to make a difference and keep the oceans abundant with humpback whales for future generations.

History

 National Whale Day (previously National Day of Action to Protect Whales) started in 2006 as a protest day with Australia's whale watch industry in response to the Japanese scientific whaling and the announcement that humpback whales would be added to their quota for the southern ocean hunt.
 
Instigated by local Vicki Neville, the day is driven by IFAW (International Fund for Animal Welfare), and has evolved into a day of celebration and recognition of the whales plight in this day and age. "We have to be reminded each year that the whales are still not safe from harpoons and the ongoing fight to save them is still very real", says Vicki.

2009 National Whale Day- Tails for Whales Photo	2009 National Whale Day- Feature Sand Sculpture	2009 National Whale Day