White whale prompts ADF to consider training site move
Scientists plan to track the rare white whale Migaloo
Thu Jun 28, 2007
ABC Australia
Migaloo has been spotted swimming towards Shoalwater Bay and there are fears sonar equipment used in naval exercises could cause him to beach.
The Australian Defence Force (ADF) says it is considering moving future military exercises away from Queensland's environmentally sensitive Shoalwater Bay area.
It says all safety precautions are in place to protect Migaloo, the white humpback whale seen off the Queensland coast during whale watching season, and other whales, from current exercises in the area.
Migaloo has been spotted swimming towards Shoalwater Bay, and there are fears sonar equipment used in naval exercises could cause him, or other whales, to beach.
Commander Peter Lockwood says special precautions have been taken to protect marine mammals and other sites are being considered for future exercises.
"There are potential other areas around Australia that we're looking at to conduct activities like this," he said.
"At the moment there's a section in the Northern Territory which we're looking at as a possible future site for activities like this.
"But at the moment we've got all the environmental risk mitigation strategies in place and we're quite comfortable we can conduct this activity quite safely here without harming Migaloo."
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