A DEPARTMENT of Environment, Land, Water and Planning (DELWP) compliance operation to protect whales along the south-west coast has begun, and will closely monitor drones and powered boats.<\/p>\n
The patrols will target coastal waters off Lorne, Apollo Bay, Portland, Port Fairy and Warrnambool during the whale breeding season.<\/p>\n
Operation Lisburn will ensure vessels and aircraft are keeping a safe distance from the region\u2019s critically endangered southern right whales and other whale species.<\/p>\n
DELWP program manager of compliance operations Mark Breguet said patrols would run until the end of October.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are aiming to speak to hundreds of people about keeping the required distance away from whales.<\/p>\n
\u201cAs well as raising awareness about the risks of vessels being near whales, officers will monitor boating activities and investigate when boat operators are found to be too close to whales.<\/p>\n
\u201cOperation Lisburn will see a particular focus on the use of drones around whales, which is an emerging and challenging issue for us.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn the last two years we\u2019ve seen a sharp rise in suspected illegal drone activity around whales, through content on social media and reports from the public about drones flying close to whales.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe appreciate that drone operators are keen to capture photos and footage of these majestic mammals, however the buzzing from drone motors has the potential to distress whales.<\/p>\n
\u201cUnless drone operators have a special wildlife permit, these aircraft are not permitted to fly within 500 metres of whales.<\/p>\n
\u201cOnly when granted a special wildlife permit are operators allowed to have drones within 500 metres, abiding by strict conditions including monitoring behavioural responses of whales.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn the last week we\u2019ve had several reports of drones flying too close to whales at Portland and we\u2019re currently investigating these matters.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe need the public to understand that when vessels or drones operate near whales, these vulnerable mammals are at risk of being distressed \u2013 or worse, struck and injured.\u201d<\/p>\n
Recreational boaters must remain 200 metres from whales, while high impact vessels, such as jet skis, must remain 300 metres away.<\/p>\n
Swimmers must not approach within 50 metres of a whale and aircraft, including drones, are not permitted within 500 metres.<\/p>\n
Boaters and drone operators who are found to have ignored minimum distance requirements face fines of up to $3,223.80.<\/p>\n
Anyone who observes boats or aircraft breaching minimum distance requirements is urged to note the details and report incidents immediately to 136 186.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
A DEPARTMENT of Environment, Land, Water and Planning (DELWP) compliance operation to protect whales along the south-west coast has begun, and will closely monitor drones and powered boats. The patrols will target coastal waters off Lorne, Apollo Bay, Portland, Port Fairy and Warrnambool during the whale breeding season. Operation Lisburn will ensure vessels and aircraft […]<\/p>\n