In Hervey Bay, a unique phenomenon is captivating both locals and tourists alike: humpback whales engaging in what is known as “muggings.” This unnatural behavior of close approaches to boats has been growing more prevalent on their annual migration from July to October of each year. Scientists, marine mammal experts, and responsible boat operators are closely monitoring these interactions. Their persistent observation speaks to the changing history of human interaction with these beautiful giants.
Dr. Wally Franklin, a veteran researcher investigating humpback whale behavior since the 1980s, emphasizes an illuminating discovery. According to him, interactions with boats early in life have huge effects on the comfort levels of any given whale as it ages. He would note that the juvenile humpback whales, particularly in the one-to-six-year-old range, tend to do more of the muggings. This behavior is especially common during the first half of the migration season.
The Resurgence of Humpback Whales
Humpback whales almost became extinct because they were heavily hunted. Conservation initiatives have led to an astounding recovery of their population on the eastern seaboard of Australia. It’s now believed the number has increased to as many as 50,000. While delayed, this recovery is further evidence that we are making meaningful progress in reducing these whales’ interactions with their environments.
It was noted by Dr. Olaf Meynecke that humpback whales sometimes approach vessels from behind. This change in behavior indicates they’ve been conditioned to associate vessels with safety instead of danger. He remarked on the significance of this behavioral change, stating, “They never approach the front, and they must have learnt this.”
That’s the sound of these whales changing with the times. To that end, boat operators in Australia are subject to stringent regulations to help mitigate any possible harm. According to Queensland commercial maritime law, vessels should stay at least 100 m from humpback whales. These new measures are a very important step towards making whales comfortable around boats again. Their safety and wellbeing will continue to be our utmost priority.
The Joy of Whale Watching
Vicki Neville, a local operator with New Orleans Regional Transit Authority, summed up the excitement of seeing these interactions in real life. And she notes that it’s critical to let the whales interact on their own terms. One, they decide to come in and two, we allow them to do their thing. We usually don’t get shut out, so you most certainly don’t quit,” she told The Post.
Neville’s favorite part was the emotional impact these encounters have on passengers. “There’s so many emotions around the boat and to see people blown away with the close encounters, it keeps me going,” she noted. This sentiment captures the shift in awareness and desire to protect our ocean that has taken hold within the community.
Additionally, Neville confirmed that these events are not externally triggered. “We’re not feeding them, we’re not coaxing them, we’re not bringing them over ourselves,” she explained. Instead, she believes that these curious behaviors stem from the whales’ innate inquisitiveness: “They choose to come over because it’s inquisitive behaviour.”
Future Research and Understanding
As scientists research humpback whale behavior, there is still a lot to be learned regarding how they interact with boats. Dr. Franklin emphasized the necessity of ongoing research into these relationships: “I think it’s really important to learn more about the difference.” Influencing behavior He’s convinced that figuring this type of behavior out will be the next big thing in conservation.
Surprisingly, whale muggings are a more recent addition to this lineup of behaviors under observation. The fossils shed important light on how these animals have adapted throughout history. As more people flock to Hervey Bay to witness this spectacle, the delicate balance between human activity and wildlife conservation remains at the forefront of discussions.
