Whale watching Sydney: Coronavirus threatens charter boat fleet
As thousands of humpbacks begin their epic annual migration north, Sydney’s fleet of whale watching boats remain docked in harbour. With a steep decline in international tourists and stringent social distancing rules, the whale watching industry faces its biggest ever challenge.
Wentworth Courier
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Sydney’s whale watching fleet will miss the start of the annual migration for the first time ever as COVID-19 continues to batter the economy.
As the humpbacks begin their epic migration north, companies are laying off staff and some fear they will not survive the winter.
The season runs from May - with many whales already being spotted off the Sydney coast.
International tourists make up around half of all customers for most companies, leaving charters reliant on local visitors this winter.
But even if there is a surge in local interest, boats must still abide by social distancing guidelines.
“Under the law at the moment, a commercial vessel is classified as a public space and we can’t have more than two people on the boat,” Cronulla Whale Watching director Mike Abbott, said.
He said the season usually begins in mid May but they are still unclear as to when they may be able to head out.
“If we miss this whale season, it’s a third of our annual turnover.
“Our biggest problem is we don’t want to end up on Tracy Grimshaw. We don’t want to be seen to do the wrong thing.
“We are shut down. All our boats are tied up. We have three boats sitting down there.
“Not a dollar is coming in.”
From Friday, NSW is changing its COVID-19 restrictions so that 10 people can gather in a public space.
“(But) we could comfortably separate and sanitise with about 25 people on board,” he said.
“If we could get 15 to 20 people on board it would sort of break even and we could still employ staff.”
Cronulla Whale Watching has also suffered from the loss of Chinese tourists taking up its fishing charters. This equates to about 40 per cent of its annual revenue.
Although the whale watching services will be on hold until at least June 1, Mr Abbott said people are regularly calling in to make bookings.
Simon Millar, of Go Whale Watching Sydney, said even if they do go out, the numbers may have to be so reduced that it is not financially viable.
In its 17 years, the Darling Harbour-based company has never missed a season.
”It it’s not viable then we are running (charters) to lose money.
“If there are such reduced numbers (of patrons) then no one will go out.”
He too said he hoped to be running by June.
Manly-based Ocean Extreme will be running charters from Saturday although owner Blake Horton acknowledges it will be a “tough season”.
Entering what will be its ninth season, Mr Horton said with social distancing measures he will be able to take nine people on his small boat, plus himself.
“I’ll probably be one of the only guys operating (at the beginning). Bigger boats need a minimum crew which will feed into the 10 people, as well as fuel costs”.
The boat can ordinarily fit 21 people.
Mr Horton said he will likely need to increase his prices to be financially viable. “If I only have six people then I would have to cancel that tour,” he added.
But he is optimistic he will be able to give clients a “small group boutique adventure”.
“The product will be better … I can involve them in the decision making.”
On the opposite end of the scale is Whale Watching Sydney.
The company, owned and operated by NRMA, has some of the biggest boats and has been running for more than 25 years.
Jonas Liebschner, from the company, said the season is set to be a big loss financially with some staff already stood down.
“(Business) totally depends on what the government dictates,” he said.
“They will lift restrictions on Friday but we will still have to do social distancing.
“As soon as there is a way for us to go whale watching, with the limited number of people, we will be keen to get out there.”
“(Locals) definitely still want to come out.
“I don’t think the whole season will be wiped out completely but it will be a big loss financially. People have already been stood down.”