Having 'whale' of a time at awards

Sharing an “Australian success story” has helped Brisbane Whale Watching land one of the top Moreton Bay Business and Innovation Awards.

For the full list of winners click here

Captain Kerry Lopez was presented with the Moreton Bay Award for Tourism Business Excellence at a gala night in St Columban’s College, Caboolture.

Brisbane Whale Watching (BWW), which has a staff of 20, has been taking visitors out on the waters of Moreton Bay for 26 years – and witnessed a remarkable change.

“It’s very exciting,” Captain Kerry said. “Have you seen the amount of whales coming through?

“Historically, we’d only see one or two whales in a pod. Now eight to ten whales a day. It’s sensational. An Australian success story.

“My crew make it special, as well as the Moreton Bay Region, the cape, the Moreton Bay marine park.

“It’s a natural growth area for the whales with its warm, shallow, protected waters. (Whales are) staying for two or three days in a row.

“(There’s) dolphins, turtles, we even see dugongs out there. The whole marine park, it’s just beautiful.”

With the whale population growing, passengers on Eye Spy, a purpose-built catamaran, are now guaranteed to see whales.

As the whale numbers increase, so do visitors joining BWW, which is at Redcliffe, with the Eye Spy docking at and departing from Redcliffe Jetty.

BWW is also preparing the next generation of captains by ensuring they understand the value of sustainable practices.