White whale expected off coast

Bruce Mckean | 4th July 2009

MIGALOO is the world's most famous whale and he's expected to be off the coast of Mackay and the Whitsundays next week.

Migaloo the albino whale.

Greer Atkinson

MIGALOO is the world's most famous whale and he's expected to be off the coast of Mackay and the Whitsundays next week.

The all-white humpback was sighted off Byron and Moreton bays this week, heading north on the migration route. He's doing about 150km a day but hasn't been seen in the Whitsundays since 2007.

However, whale watchers have been warned by authorities that special regulations apply to Migaloo and vessels and aircraft are not allowed to approach him. But this does not stop him from swimming freely past any whale watchers.

Migaloo is now believed to be about 20 years old.

He was first photographed on June 28, 1991, passing Byron Bay, Australia's most easterly point.

He is so far the only documented all-white humpback in the world and was named by Aboriginal elders from the Hervey Bay area - it means White Fella.

Researchers from Southern Cross University were able to collect sloughed skin samples from Migaloo in October 2004 when he breached. Small pieces of skin fell off him into the water and were collected and analysed for DNA.

A genetic fingerprint was obtained allowing researchers to check for relatives among other whales they have samples from.

Guidelines enforce slow approach speeds when within 300m of an adult.

Vessels are prohibited from approaching closer than 100m of adults and 300m from calves.

Special legislation for Migaloo prohibits vessels from going closer than 500m and aircraft can not approach under 2000 feet.

• If you see Migaloo or get a photograph of him contact the Daily Mercury at news@dailymercury.com.au.

Special legislation for Migaloo prohibits vessels from going closer than 500m