🔗 Share this article

A young whale calf has been discovered deceased following getting trapped in a mesh netting along the shoreline of New South Wales.

An eight-meter calf was located entangled in barriers in northern Wollongong waters this Tuesday, specifically the waters separating Wombarra and Coledale.

This incident marks the 15th whale trapped in protective netting near the coast of eastern Australia in the current year, and it is the first whale to have died, presumed to have drowned while on its migration to Antarctic waters.

Finding and Reaction

An official for the state department handling fisheries and regional matters explained that marine safety teams located the dead whale in the course of a regular examination on Tuesday morning.

There were no prior reports any calls regarding a trapped whale at Coledale before this incident,” they said, and mentioned that no additional whale entanglements in coastal barriers were recorded so far this year.

But, during June, a marine mammal got caught in a shark drumline near Nobby’s beach.

State wildlife authorities, marine rescue organizations and emergency responders took action later that day, discovering the young cetacean with net entwined with its tail and side fin.

“All responders tried their best to release the lifeless cetacean,” commented rescue official the responder.

Challenges and Outcome

The intention was to move the body to a site where it could be removed from the water,” he said. Just before three in the afternoon, “the mix of adverse marine environment and the nearby rocks and beach created dangers for our vessel and crew to stay on site, so we were obliged to stop”.

The body came onto the beach that evening. Marine experts explained: “For now, the reason for death remains unclear and won’t be confirmed until … a examination is conducted.”

Shark Net Setup Facts

In place are fifty-one marine barriers deployed in NSW, which are fitted with audible deterrents and acoustic devices.

The equipment “send out a high-pitched acoustic signal that deters the marine animals from the area and minimizes the possibility of entanglement,” the official explained.

“The government will continue to investigate modern deterrent systems designed to minimise impacts on marine animals while ensuring safety for swimmers.”

Calls for Change

This tragic incident has reignited calls for the state authorities to terminate its marine barrier initiative.

NSW Greens MP Cate Faehrmann remarked how “absolutely heartbreaking to witness a baby humpback whale perish in this manner, particularly since its death was completely avoidable”.

“Each year when the nets go in, we see more whales and other animals such as dolphins, threatened sea turtles and critically endangered grey nurse sharks ensnared, wounded or deceased.”

Specialist Opinions

Marine researcher, focused on ocean creatures at Griffith University, commented there was little evidence to indicate that marine barriers averted shark bites in the past.

The “large-scale removal of marine predators near coastlines as protective steps” did little to reduce threat, the doctor noted.

The researcher stated young whales were more vulnerable of being trapped and suffocating.

“We know that they are not aware the risks posed by netting.”

Whales develop experience, acquiring communication skills regarding hazardous areas, Meynecke added.

A young whale “would panic quite quickly and amid turbulent waters the possibility arises of drowning”.

Government Reactions and Options

Greens senator the senator stated: “Governments should support ensure swimmer safety by increasing financial support in contemporary options to archaic and useless nets and lines.

“Options consist of funding personal shark repellents, monitoring systems, eco-shark barriers, shark-resistant gear, and enhancing awareness campaigns.

“A 2017 Senate inquiry on marine safety recommended the federal government take leading action on supporting such financing, but this advice was not followed.”

The official further demanded the central government to revoke a special allowance in the federal protection legislation that allows local marine elimination initiatives.

“Federal law facilitates the state-sanctioned animal cruelty that is happening off our Queensland and NSW coastlines via hazardous and outdated EPBC exemption.

“It’s time to end the world’s longest marine cull and cease this inhumane government-sanctioned animal cruelty.”