Whale researchers are calling for a ban on tours allowing people to swim with whales, saying the interactions are disturbing the marine mammals on their annual migration off Australia’s east coast.
They've been a major drawcard for the Fraser and Sunshine coasts, but a study by the not-for-profit Pacific Whale Foundation has found the tours are causing significant behavioural changes in humpback whales.
Researchers said that, “these whales are fasting and they have a certain amount of energy that they're living off, and that it’s important we don't interfere with that."