Sea World Gold Coast’s top conservationist, who is best-known for leading the world’s first rescue of a humpback whale at Coolum Beach, has been recognised for his lifelong dedication to protecting marine life.
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Self-professed animal lover Trevor Long, 66, who founded the not-for-profit Sea World Research and Rescue Foundation in 1988, said he was “extremely humbled” to receive an honorary doctorate from the University of Queensland.
“It’s a wonderful thing and lovely recognition, but I haven’t done the things that I do for accolades or awards. The day before the doctorate is exactly the same as the day after the doctorate,” he joked.
“I love working with animals, and I love being able to assist animals. I think we live in a world with a lot of hate and anger, and working with animals is a wonderful thing,” he said.
“I’m a person that hates guns and hates cruelty. We’ve got a lot of people working with domestic animals and farm animals but I think the marine world is a little bit out there on its own, sight unseen.
“Underneath the ocean, we have animals that suffer a whole range of consequences because of humans and no one sees the suffering - and these animals feel pain.”
This time of year is his favourite time, he said, because of the opportunity it affords for watching humpback whales on their annual migration north.
“I love the whale season,” he said. “We will have around 30,000 whales coming up past the Gold Coast so there will be 3000 new bubs on the way back down. Bubs are inexperienced so they get caught [in nets].
“And while it gives me a lot of anguish because of the whales that need rescuing, I love going out there and watching these animals.
“They’re so beautiful and majestic and calm in nature. They’re articulate in their movements and their fine motor skills are amazing for a 40-tonne animal."
His life’s work rescuing, rehabilitating and releasing injured marine animals has seen him spend almost every day of the past 45 years on the water.
“I love the ocean, I love the beach and I love the sun — I’m inspired by them,” he mused.
“I walk the beach every day, I try and spend my time on the water. I’ve just been fortunate enough to be able to do that the majority of my life. I couldn’t be in an office.
“I like to think that this work makes people care a little bit more and have more empathy.”
Dr Janet Lanyon, from UQ’s School of Biological Sciences, said the doctorate was well deserved.
“Trevor’s decades-long commitment and enthusiasm have been invaluable to the marine science community — not just in Australia, but internationally,” she said.
“He has contributed to global knowledge about significant and endangered marine species, including dolphins and dugongs, and is deeply involved with hands-on rescue efforts and fostering the next generation of marine advocates.
“Trevor’s work at the foundation has made an incredible difference to marine science, as well as here at UQ, where it has funded 40 research projects.
“He’s worked closely with staff and students at the University of Queensland and, thanks to Trevor and the foundation he established, researchers have been able to study an array of species, ranging from sea horses to sharks.
“We recognise the impressive impact of our wildlife champions, and we’re delighted to have honoured him in this way.”
