Tragic Death of Humpback Whale Calf Off NSW Shoreline After Becoming Trapped in Shark Net

A young marine mammal has been located dead following being caught in a shark net along the shoreline of NSW.

An eight-meter marine creature was discovered trapped by netting in northern Wollongong waters on Tuesday, in the waters separating these coastal towns.

This event is the 15th whale to become entangled in marine barriers off Australia’s east coast so far this year, and it is the first whale confirmed dead, thought to have been suffocated while on its travel to Antarctic waters.

Location and Response

A spokesperson for the government body handling fisheries and regional matters explained that marine safety teams located the deceased whale while conducting a routine inspection on Tuesday morning.

No earlier notifications any calls regarding a trapped whale at Coledale before this incident,” they said, adding that no other marine mammal incidents in state netting were notified this year.

However, in June, another whale got caught in a shark drumline off Nobby’s beach.

State wildlife authorities, marine rescue organizations and coastal rescue teams responded on Tuesday afternoon, finding the juvenile cetacean with mesh wrapped around its rear and side appendages.

“Each participant tried their best to disentangle the dead cetacean,” said rescue official the responder.

Difficulties and Consequences

The intention was to take the body to a site where extraction was possible from the sea,” he said. Earlier that day, “the combination of unfavourable sea conditions and the proximity to rocks and the shoreline created dangers for marine personnel to continue operations, so we were obliged to stop”.

The whale carcass drifted to land later that day. The organization stated: “For now, the cause of death is unknown and will remain unclear until … a autopsy is carried out.”

Protective Netting Program Details

There are fifty-one marine barriers deployed in NSW, which are fitted with sound-based alerts and marine mammal warnings.

The equipment “produce a high-pitched acoustic signal that repels the cetaceans from the vicinity and minimizes the possibility of trapping,” the official explained.

“The government is researching modern deterrent systems aimed at reducing effects on ocean life while protecting coastal visitors.”

Calls for Change

The whale drowning has reignited demands for the NSW government to end its shark netting program.

Legislator Cate Faehrmann said that it was “absolutely heartbreaking to see a baby humpback whale perish in this manner, particularly since its death was entirely unnecessary”.

“Each year during net installation, we witness more whales and other wildlife like dolphins, at-risk marine reptiles and critically endangered grey nurse sharks ensnared, wounded or deceased.”

Specialist Insights

Marine researcher, focused on sea animals at Griffith University, commented data is limited to suggest that shark nets averted marine incidents in the past.

Extensive elimination of ocean hunters along beaches as protective steps” had minimal impact on risk, Meynecke explained.

Meynecke said young whales were at higher risk of capture and death.

“It is understood that they lack awareness of the dangers from barriers.”

Whales develop experience, learning to communicate regarding hazardous areas, the researcher noted.

A young whale “could easily become distressed and with rough ocean conditions there exists the danger of drowning”.

Government Statements and Solutions

Legislator Peter Whish-Wilson commented: “Governments can help ensure swimmer safety by boosting funding in current solutions to outdated and ineffective marine barriers and deterrents.

“Alternatives involve funding shark shield personal deterrent devices, monitoring systems, environmentally friendly barriers, shark-resistant gear, and improving public education.

“A 2017 Senate inquiry into shark risk mitigation suggested central government take leading action on driving this investment, but these recommendations were overlooked.”

The senator additionally urged the federal government to revoke a special allowance in the national environment law that allows state-controlled shark cull programs.

“National legislation enables the state-sanctioned animal cruelty that is occurring along the eastern shores via hazardous and outdated EPBC exemption.

“It’s time to terminate the world’s longest marine cull and halt this cruel state-approved wildlife harm.”