Whale researchers are concerned recreational boaties on Queensland's Gold Coast are crowding humpback mothers and their newborn calves, breaching state regulations for watching marine mammals.
Griffith University researcher, Olaf Meynecke, counted eight boats surrounding a mother as she lifted her newborn calf out of the water, despite rules no more than three boats could be present at a time.
Anthony Ardern is the owner of Whales in Paradise, which runs whale watching tours off the Gold Coast, and said boaters' disregard for whale watching regulations was worsening.
"Obviously when you've got beautiful weather and school holidays, every man and his dog is out there.” He said "It is quite frustrating — more so for the whales' safety — and it's our livelihood out there as well."