Sea World marine science director Trevor Long wants authorities to keep public away for whale rescues

SEA World is pushing for the public to be banned from the beach next time a stranded whale rescue is underway after the Palm Beach debacle.

MEMBERS of the public could be forced from the beach at the next stranded whale rescue after Sea World staff were hurled with abuse and ‘rogue’ rescuers impeded efforts during a rescue last month.

Speaking at a specialised whale training exercise at Wavebreak Island yesterday, Sea World director of marine sciences Trevor Long said his staff were abused by members of the public during the 36-hour rescue of a baby humpback Palm Beach.

Last month’s rescue at times turned into a beach-side circus as thousands of people travelled to the scene to see the distressed marine mammal.

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While most people were supportive, Mr Long said there were numerous cases of staff being yelled at by the public.

Rescue teams join forces for stranded whale training run by Sea World with a purpose-built dummy Picture: Scott Fletcher

“There certainly was a lot of disquiet on the beach (and) we had our staff being abused and we don’t understand why,” Mr Long said.

“That was the first time we’d ever seen it. It is a very emotional issue because people wanted to help.

“We were doing out best for the animal.”

Sea World staff run through a mock whale rescue at Wave Break Island yesterday Picture: Scott Fletcher

Rescue efforts were also hampered when a group of ‘rogue’ rescuers attempted to free the whale after Sea World staff had left the area, resulting in the whale being turned and stuck in an awkward position on the beach.

Mr Long said he would prefer it if members of the public did not visit the scene during the rescue as the extra noise and people causes distress for whales.

The cavalry is coming - Sea World’s marine sciences director Trevor Long is pushing for a way to keep the public off the beach the next time they have to deal with a stranded whale Picture: Scott Fletcher

“These animals do pick up on a lot of movement and it is all alien to them so we’d like to try and keep people away,” he said.

“We don’t have any authority to tell people to move off the beach though so that’s got to be done by the appropriate authorities.

“We had people wanting to come down and play nice soft music to the whale thinking it will help.

“I appreciate the thoughts but at the end of the day I want to get the whale off the beach and back into the water as that is the most critical thing for it to survive in the long term.”

Sea World marine rescue staff teamed up with Department of Environment and Heritage Protection and National Parks and Wildlife workers yesterday to simulate a beached whale on Wavebreak Island.

During the exercise, the crews used a harness to two the 1.5 tonne purpose built whale off the beach and into the water.

Mr Long said the training exercises are vital to ensure teams are prepared for whale stranding and entanglements.

“The biggest issue is safety and we need to make sure we protect the whale and our staff,” he said.

“You are dealing with a very large animal and a dangerous environment so we need to make sure everyone is well prepared.”