Minke Whale Project - 2005 Awards.

In 2005, its tenth consecutive year, the Minke Whale Project had another successful season. The Minke Whale Project is the combined scheme of James Cook University , the Museum of Tropical Queensland , Undersea Explorer and live-aboard dive tour operators in the Cairns section of the Great Barrier Reef .

Passengers and crew are asked to get involved with this project by completing simple forms which include information on number of whale sightings, type of whales, where they were sighted, etc. Mike Ball Dive Expeditions were privileged to win three awards; Highest Number of Minke Whale Passenger Questionnaires (180), Highest Number of Still Images for Whale Identification (1232), and Highest Number of Encounter Log Books (111).

The development of a Cod e of Practice for swimming with whales is just one of the outcomes of this on going project. The project would not be possible without the support of the participating Cairns section live-aboard dive industry operators.

Further information: Visit www.reef.crc.org.au or contact matthew.curnock@jcu.edu.au.