THE annual humpback whale migration has received a cracking welcome to North Stradbroke Island.
Quandamooka people performed a traditional welcome at Point Lookout, a whale-watching hotspot, which was part of this year's Quandamooka Festival.
Redland City Council mayor Karen Williams said the celebrations helped boost the Redlands' reputation as a whale watching hotspot.
"Every year, thousands of humpback whales pass North Stradbroke Island between May and October, migrating north to breed in the warmer waters of the Great Barrier Reef before returning south with their calves," Cr Williams said.
Celebrations were led by the local Yulu Burri Ba dancers. Arts and craft, weaving, workshops, kids' activities and good food were popular with about 1000 weekend visitors.
Quandamooka Yoolooburrabee Aboriginal Corporation chief executive Cameron Costello said the ceremony was a feature of the Quandamooka Festival.
"Yura Yalingbilla is a key event of the festival. We come together with the broader community to share culture and celebrate the majestic creatures that inhabit Quandamooka waters," he said.
It’s a big year for the humpbacks, with celebrity whale Migaloo heading north for the calving and mating season in Great Barrier Reef waters.
Migaloo means “white fella’’ in Murri dialects. He was born in 1986 and is thought to be an albino but this is yet to be clarified.
Sightings of Migaloo provide information for scientists on the migratory behaviour of humpbacks.
Because Migaloo is so unusual, special state and federal government legislation is used to protect him. Vessels including jet-skis are prohibited from approaching Migaloo any closer than 500m. The fine for breaching this law is $16,500.
Migaloo was hit by a trimaran off Townsville in 2003 and still bears the scars on his back.
