In October of last year, Australian Olympian Taylor McKeown found herself in the middle of an environmental scandal of sorts, with the breaststroking specialist accused of riding a jet ski too close to a pod of whales.
The incident occurred off of Point Cartwright near Mooloolaba Beech off the Sunshine Coast, with video of the silver medalist and 2 friends, included in our original report here.
Per Australian law, jet skis are not permitted to be within 300 meters of whales. Penalties for violating this distance include fines up to $15,000, but the Sunshine Coast reports that McKeown has been fined $630 for the incident.
A representative of the Department of Environment and Science department said that the fine was issued under the Nature Conservation Act 1992. (The Sunshine Coast)
At the time of the original story, McKeown denied allegations, stating “Anyone who knows me knows my passion for wildlife. Having professionals look at it is the best thing that can happen. We were literally floating in the water. They got closer and we sat there motionless. If whales approach that’s their decision.” (Sunshine Coast)
Off topic but swim swam – confirming Madi Wilson has switched from Bond to Marion swim club see the latest SA meet results. Yet to get confirmation if Brit Elmslie has also made the move there but her insta suggests so.
https://staging.swimswam.com/submit/
results central confirms they have
Say what? Now that is news I’m interested in. Just checked Marion swimming club facebook page, they have mentioned Madi Wilson and Brit Elmslie are joining the HP squad there. I guess, better to move now, and see if the move works with a couple of years to go to 2020 Tokyo. Brit had a good run with Lush and achieved a couple of PBs in 2016 and winning a World Shortcourse championship title, so well done to them both on their achievements together.
Back on to this story, I’m not saying Taylor McKeown and whales are not interesting, glad they didn’t choose to fine her $15,000, that would have been really harsh, but I’m sure she’s not happy about… Read more »
I am very keen on her bringing the jet ski to some races . They have been known to mow ppl down but I got faith .She did miss the whale .
As a member of The Five Eyes which also run WADA , our chances are very good for a TUE .
Maxi & Kyle together?
Just checked facey you are right re confirmation for Brit. I never thought Lush was a good fit for Brit. Here’s hoping Marion works out for her! Move for Madi was inevitable given her interstate romance. Not sure Bond bought out the best in her either.
Maybe the whales are employed by Queensland police as a money-making scam. Potentially bigger fines that for red light cameras.
Whale lives matter
Glad the Judge didn’t imprison her . Taylor is all we got in the 200 breastroke .
What a headline. How can anyone not want read the story. Yes it is newsworthy.
Mel, if you want this site to be meaningful, you need to do a better job distinguishing what is news and what isn’t. Just because Taylor is a swimmer and she made a mistake, doesn’t mean that it is newsworthy. Is there such a lack of things to write about?
It’s pretty newsworthy to me, and I’m sure many other readers. She is a very successful swimmer but also a very public animal activist who has been in trouble in the past for publicly attacking someone due to perceived animal cruelty.
Its totally newsworthy – Swimmers & and Wales are important .
OK, I stand corrected.
I was expecting a Kramer situation – golf ball in the blow hole and all…
Within 300 meters being the law seems quite excessive