Bystander reports paddleboarders too close to migrating whales
A bystander reported paddleboarders getting too close to migrating whales; the club says they were already in the water.
A visitor to Kiama called in the National Parks and Wildlife Service after seeing paddleboarders appear to get too close to migrating whales on Saturday. Paddleboarders must remain **at least** 300 metres from whales.
A special order in NSW requires all vessels stay **at least** 500 metres from southern right whales until the end of November. Kiama Surf Lifesaving Club president David Griffin said an adult and three teenagers were conducting a regular training session when the whales surfaced nearby.
The group then stopped to let them pass. The witness, photographing from the car park, said bystanders watched as whales appeared spooked.
NPWS is investigating and declined to comment further.
- 300 metres from whales
- Minimum distance for paddleboarders
- 500 metres from southern right whales
- Special order distance for all vessels
- Until end of November
- Special order duration
- Three times a week
- Training frequency
Why it mattersUnnecessary disturbance forces whales off their migration path at a time when they need to conserve energy for their journey south.
AustraliaWhale migration season brings thousands of whales past the NSW coast; breaches of distance rules risk harming a protected species that Australians value watching.
✓ Claims checked against the source. checked 2 h ago
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