THOUGHTS of the COVID-19 crisis and the latest restrictions were able to be pushed aside on Thursday (9 July) when word of a whale in Mornington harbour quickly spread.
Hundreds of onlookers flocked to the pier and Mothers Beach cliffs as the whale took its time moving through the shallow waters.
It is thought the whale was the same one that had attracted attention (including close-up canoeists and paddle boarders) the previous day off Aspendale and Edithvale.
The state’s conservation regulator program manager Paul Hutcheson said recreational boaters must stay 200 metres away from whales and jet skis 300 metres.
Swimmers must not go closer than 50 metres and drones and helicopters 500 metres.
