Eyre Peninsula whale tour operator fears new rules to expand whale exclusion zones off SA’s coast will sink family business

A devastated whale tour operator says he feels betrayed and fears his 17-year-old family business will be sunk by a new government plan.

Whale tour operator Rod Keogh says a 300m exclusion zone around all whales in Fowlers Bay would cripple his 17-year-old family business. Picture: EP Cruises – Fowlers Bay Whale Tours

A devastated whale tour operator says he hasn’t slept in days and feels betrayed by a government plan that could wipe out his 17-year-old family business at Eyre Peninsula.

Rod Keogh, who runs EP Cruises out of Fowlers Bay, has delivered an emotional plea to supporters after learning the state wants to enforce a 300m exclusion zone around all whales — including adults — a move he says will destroy his small tourism operation.

“I haven’t slept in days. It’s tearing me apart because my heart, my soul, the last 17 years of my life have been devoted to protecting these whales,” he said in a raw online video.

Under a proposal from the Department for Environment and Water (DEW), Fowlers Bay and Sleaford Bay would be declared new Whale Nursery Protection Areas — bringing them in line with Encounter Bay, where boats must stay at least 300 metres from all whales.

That’s triple the current 100m limit for adults, and already the standard for mothers with calves.

Mr Keogh, who has operated under a longstanding special permit, says the change would cripple his tours, and the emotional toll is already hitting hard.

“They’re ripping me and my business apart, my family apart as well, because it’s affecting my family just as much as it’s affecting me, because I can’t get over it, because it’s absolutely appalling behaviour on everyone’s behalf.”

Mr Keogh took to social media criticising the government's plan in an emotional video. Picture: EP Cruises – Fowlers Bay Whale Tours

Southern right whale calf named Al with mother at Fowlers Bay Picture: EP Cruises – Fowlers Bay Whale Tours

He also accused the government of handling the process behind closed doors.

“I feel betrayed at how this has all come about … I hate people that go behind my back.”

But the government says the changes are based on scientific advice and a national recovery plan for the endangered species.

“The new protection areas have been independently identified as important in the recovery of the Southern Right Whale in the National Recovery Plan for the Southern Right Whale (Eubalaena australis) 2024 and in a scientific review by key experts undertaken for the Department for Environment and Water,” a DEW spokesman said.

They said the aim is to “minimise disturbance to whales, during critical times when they are resting, mating, calving or feeding their young.”

DEW says tours like Mr Keogh’s wouldn’t be banned outright and that operators in Encounter Bay already manage within the 300m rule.

The government says the changes are based on scientific advice and a national recovery plan for the endangered species. EP Cruises – Fowlers Bay Whale Tours

They also acknowledge that the existing permit held by EP Cruises is valid until 31 March 2027.

Mr Keogh is now preparing for a critical meeting with DEW officials on Monday.

“Right now, I feel sick to the core about the meeting,” he said.

“I will not negotiate our permit conditions nor our operating conditions … so my heels are firmly planted into the ground and my army is behind me.”

He said whale numbers have soared in Fowlers Bay since he started his tours — from just one in 2008 to 150 across the 2019 season, which he says proves his operation supports conservation, not harms it.

Originally published as Eyre Peninsula whale tour operator fears new rules to expand whale exclusion zones off SA’s coast will sink family business