New protection areas to help safeguard endangered whales

Vessel approach distances for whale watching will increase from 100m to 300m from 1 September 2025 under the National Parks and Wildlife (Protected Animals) Marine Mammals Regulations 2025.

Fowlers Bay and Sleaford Bay were identified as important sites for the recovery of southern right whales by the Australian Government’s National Recovery Plan and in an expert scientific review for the Department for Environment and Water.

The introduction of the new Whale Nursery Protection Areas ensures consistency across key SA southern right whale aggregation sites and aligns with protections at Encounter Bay.

Whale Nursery Protection Areas aim to minimise disturbance to whales during critical times when they come close to shore to rest, mate and raise their young.

Southern right whale numbers at Fowlers Bay and Sleaford Bay have increased in recent years as distribution expands across the SA coastline, reinforcing the need for additional protections.

However, population growth has slowed in recent years and breeding intervals are increasing. The population found in SA waters is currently estimated to be 2800, which is still less than 20 per cent of pre-whaling numbers.

DEW Director of Conservation and Wildlife, Lisien Loan said southern right whales often return to the same sites to raise their young, making these areas important to supporting their recovery and sustaining their visits to our coastline.

"Southern right whales are particularly prone to disturbance because they shelter near-shore and remain there for several months at a time," Ms Loan said.

"Maintaining the legal distance from marine mammals such as whales, dolphins, and seals is important, both for our safety and that of the animals."

The current 300m approach distance from a whale with a calf – in all SA and Australian waters – will not change. Approach distances only apply when viewing whales and will not affect vessels travelling through these areas.

Southern right whales are listed as endangered under Australia’s Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999.

Historically hunted to near extinction by the 1900s, southern right whales face several ongoing threats, including habitat disruption, noise interference, entanglement in fishing gear, climate change and prey depletion.

More information on South Australia’s Whale Nursery Protection Areas is available on the Department for Environment and Water’s website.