End of the Tale? Eyre Peninsula Whale-Watching Faces Devastating Blow

Whale Nursery Protection Area could spell the end of a magical Eyre Peninsula experience

For 17 years, EP Cruises has operated as the sole whale-watching operator in Fowlers Bay, providing unforgettable encounters with Southern Right Whales while educating  thousands of visitors on marine conservation. For over a decade, the company has successfully obtained and met special permissions to safely and ethically approach whales and whale calves at reduced distances.

But the Eyre Peninsula business is now facing closure, following the Department for Environment and Water’s (DEW) recent decision not to renew permits essential to its operations. The move comes under a proposal to establish Fowlers Bay as a Whale Nursery Protection Area.

The withdrawal of the special permit means EP Cruises will have to adhere to a 300m vessel exclusion zone from a whale calf, making whale-watching from the water both unsafe and impossible due to the bay’s geography and whale density.

The businesses co-founder, Rod Keogh, said while EP Cruises is supportive of measures to protect Southern Right Whales, the changes ignore robust scientific data and proven local outcomes.

“This decision was made without consultation, without science-based justification, and without regard for the devastating impact on our family, our business, and the local community,” he said. “It strips us of everything we’ve built over nearly two decades.” 

A 2023 study by whale expert Dr. Claire Charlton documents a calving recovery rate of more than double the biological maximum for the species—despite EP Cruises having operated within Fowlers Bay under their current permit conditions for over a decade. 

“Fowlers Bay is unlike any other site in Australia,” Rod said. “We’ve seen and supported this recovery firsthand. Our presence in the bay hasn’t hindered it—it’s enhanced awareness and compliance with regulations.

“The proposed change effectively prevents whale-watching from the water in Fowlers Bay, rendering our $2 million business worthless. This decision doesn’t just affect our  family—it sends shockwaves through the Eyre Peninsula community and South Australia’s tourism reputation.” 

EP Cruises is calling for meaningful dialogue with DEW and the Minister for Environment to find a way forward that balances conservation with community and economic sustainability.