Here's your chance to become a whale researcher for a day and understand more about these ocean giants, as Tourism Noosa launches the Marine Citizen Science Whale Experience.

Part of the Tread Lightly Noosa program that Tourism Noosa offers in conjunction with local environmental groups, this unique whale experience will launch on Thursday 2 October, offering nine participants the chance to step into the world of marine behaviour on the Noosa coastline. 

The 2hr marine research experience, onboard whale-watching boat Whale Songs Noosa, will be guided by University of the Sunshine Coast researcher Melina Keane and the boat's owner, Peppie Simpson. The day will start with a welcome and morning tea at the indigenous social enterprise cafe Deadly Espresso in Noosaville.

Participants on the research trip, which is endorsed by the Noosa Biosphere Reserve Foundation, will learn how to identify and tune into whale behaviours and collect photos and research data – no previous experience is necessary. You will work alongside experts to call behaviours, tally sightings and capture images of passing humpback whales.

All observations will contribute to the Blue Biosphere Project, a pioneering research initiative that maps the movement, habitat use and interactions of these iconic marine giants within the UNESCO-designated Noosa Biosphere Reserve.

Tourism Noosa CEO Sharon Raguse said the Marine Citizen Science Experience was the first of its kind in Noosa.

“Visitors and locals can now have an exclusive opportunity to connect with humpback whales while actively contributing to marine research and conservation,” Ms Raguse said. “The Whale Experience will contribute to the understanding of the east coast Australian population of humpback whales that pass through the waters off Noosa's coast on their annual migration between June and November.

“It's an unforgettable way to showcase Noosa's commitment to science, sustainability and our UNESCO Biosphere Reserve and builds on our existing suite of Tread Lightly Noosa tourism experiences.”

Tread Lightly Noosa offers a calendar of events including Plastic Free Noosa beach clean-ups, Trees for Tourism plantings in the Noosa hinterland that are mostly funded by event participants, and the Waste Warriors program that reduces landfill waste from major events. There are also plans for future Marine Citizen Science Experiences.

Places in the Whale Experience are limited. Find out more and book by Monday 29 September at https://www.visitnoosa.com.au/tread-lightly/events/marine-citizen-science-experience-with-whale-songs-noosa

ENDS 

For media enquiries, please contact Sue Mikkelsen, Tourism Noosa 0422 913 373 or sue@tourismnoosa.com.au

(Our Communications Manager Susan Ewington is away on leave).