AFTER taking people whale watching for about 17 years, Cleveland’s Rob Hartog finally got to see a white whale believed to be Migaloo.
He captured hundreds of photographs of the white whale when he went searching with a friend off the Gold Coast on Tuesday.
The excited owner of Aria Cruises said it was unreal to have finally seen the famous sea creature.
“Words can’t describe what it felt like,” he said.
Mr Hartog, who has worked on boats since he was 12 years old, said scientists from Oceania Project had confirmed from his photographs that the whale was Migaloo.
He said the whale had also been spotted about 50 metres into the sea at Point Lookout on North Stradbroke Island on Wednesday morning.
Environment Minister Steven Miles warned boaties and aircraft operators on Wednesday to steer clear of any white whale they spot in Queensland waters.
“These are special management marine mammals which means boats and prohibited vessels must not approach within 500 metres and aircraft cannot approach within 610 metres without authorisation,” Mr Miles said.
“These rules are in place to protect the whales and give them safe passage during their migration along the Queensland coast.”
The minister said one complaint was being investigated and the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service was monitoring the whale whale that had been seen to make sure everyone was doing the right thing.
The minister said the white whale seen this week was reported to be smaller than Migaloo but there was no way of knowing without genetic testing whether they were related.
Anyone who is concerned that vessels may be approaching too close to humpback whales are asked to contact Environment and Heritage Protection officers on 1300 130 372.
The maximum penalty for intentionally moving too close to a whale is $20,113.50 or an on the spot fine of $609.