About Us
Photographed by Lynne Boyce
The Whales of the Whitsundays (WoW) is a group of committed individuals who are concerned about the health and future of cetaceans in our region. The program started in 2023 after discussions at the Whitsunday Local Marine Advisory Committee about the simultaneous increase in whale and boat numbers and threats from climate change.
At the inaugural steering committee meeting on 6 March 2023, a group of locals discussed the World Cetacean Alliance's Whale Heritage Area Program and how the Whitsundays could meet the four program criteria:
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Encouraging respectful human-cetacean coexistence
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Celebrating cetaceans
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Environmental, social and economic sustainability
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Research, education and awareness
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The Whitsundays was accepted as a candidate Whale Heritage Area on 26 January 2023 and officially designated as the Whitsundays Whale Heritage Area on 25 March 2024. In the first year of the project, the Whales of the Whitsundays started multiple events, had a large citizen science campaign, and brought about an awareness of the importance of our region for whales.
We are honoured to have such a unique and important location that serves as a safe-haven and nursery for many different marine species in our backyard and look forward continuing to raise awareness, ensure conservation, and advocate protection of cetaceans in the Whitsundays!
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Photographed by Deb Duggan
Purpose
The Whales of the Whitsundays Steering Committee serves as a mobilising force to guide and drive activities required
to uphold accreditation as a Whale Heritage Area.
We aim to foster stewardship, awareness, and understanding of cetaceans and promote responsible interactions while highlighting the importance of citizen science.
Vision
Our vision is to celebrate cetaceans in local culture, arts and events, raise awareness of the species that call the Whitsundays home, raise awareness of the threats they face, advocate for their protection, and ensure the long-term conservation of cetaceans and their habitats.
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We also want to put the Whitsundays on the map as one of the most unique and important locations for humpback whales on the East Coast of Australia.
Photographed by Deb Duggan