Whale watching opportunity in Great Sandy Marine Park
Issued: 26 Mar 2024
A rare and exciting business opportunity to undertake whale watching in the Great Sandy Marine Park is on offer for a limited number of operators.
The Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service (QPWS) is calling for expressions of interest (EOI) for commercial whale watching tours in the marine park.
QPWS is looking to engage dedicated operator(s) to promote and undertake sustainable whale watching activities focussing on the annual humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) migration through Hervey Bay, a significant event attracting interest from across the globe.
QPWS Wildlife Assessment Manager Adam Northam said the Great Sandy Marine Park, with its pristine waters and diverse marine life, provided an ideal setting for observing the majestic humpbacks in their natural habitat.
“The Great Sandy Marine Park is a premier destination for whale watching enthusiasts and nature lovers alike,” Mr Northam said.
The EOI calls for applications from individuals, partnerships, or companies with a strong commitment to environmental stewardship and a track record in successfully managing and promoting ecotourism ventures.
“This is an opportunity for commercial operations to showcase the marine park's natural beauty and contribute to the region's conservation efforts through responsible whale watching operations,” Mr Northam said.
View the EOI documentation on the Queensland Government QTenders website.
The EOI opens on 26 March 2024 and closes on 7 May 2024.
Further information on this opportunity is available by emailing WhaleWatchingEOI@des.qld.gov.au
Background
Current agreements to operate whale watching ventures in the Great Sandy Marine Park expire in December this year.
Marine park regulations place a 10-year limit on the length of these agreements, preventing them from simply being extended and requiring new agreements to be arranged via an application or EOI process.
Recognising their investment, and the importance of whale watching businesses to the Hervey Bay community, an application process is being run concurrently with the EOI inviting current whale watching holders to apply for a new agreement.
These processes provide a fair and transparent way for potential whale watching operators to express an interest in this opportunity, and an avenue for current operators to reapply for new agreements.