Authorities are working to free a whale calf stuck in shark nets off the popular Mooloolaba Beach

Tourists at a popular Sunshine Coast beach witnessed distressing scenes as a baby humpback whale became trapped in a shark net.

The state government has been slammed for its shark control program after a baby humpback whale was entangled in a net about 200m off a popular Sunshine Coast tourist beach.

The calf was believed to be swimming with its mother when it became caught in a shark net off Mooloolaba Beach about 8.30am Wednesday.

According to Fisheries Queensland the whale released itself and swam away safely about 10am.

The incident prompted calls for the government to do more to protect endangered humpback whales.

Former scuba instructor Gordon Scott was shocked to see the baby humpback stuck in the shark nets at the popular beach.

The calf was initially spotted by a tour boat filled with tourists about to embark on a whale swim experience.

“This happened right in front of a surf club at Mooloolaba,” Mr Scott said.

A baby humpback whale was caught in a shark net off Mooloolaba Beach on Wednesday morning. Picture: Sunreef Mooloolaba

“We had tourists in tears because the baby whale was stuck in the net.”

The Sunshine Coast retiree said the government should have a specialist rescue team trained to respond to incidents where whales were caught in shark nets.

Fisheries Queensland acting Shark Control Program manager Tracey Scott-Holland said the Marine Animal Release Team was activated on Wednesday morning.

She said a shark control program contractor observed the whale release itself from the net about 10am.

“(Marine Animal Release Team) trains every year for whale release situations and has the necessary equipment to undertake a safe release,” she said.

“We have an outstanding record of successfully releasing whales.

“This is only the third entanglement this year, which is very low considering almost 40,000 whales migrate along the Queensland coastline each year.”

She said the damaged shark nets would be replaced today.

Mr Scott said the shark control contractors’ vessel was not suitable to rescue a stranded whale.

“The problem is too that we don’t know what sort of injuries this whale could have received,” he said.

“It’s very distressing for the whale and the tourists as well.”

Fisheries Minister Mark Furner said the government “put human life first” and had no plans to remove shark control program equipment.

He said the government would invest $1m per year in new technologies.

“We will not make changes until we have alternatives that are backed by science and appropriate for Queensland conditions,” he said.

A Sunreef crew on-board Whale One found the calf stranded in the shark net about 8.30am Wednesday.

General manager Matt Davis said they immediately notified Queensland Fisheries.

A lifeguard on a jetski keeps a close eye on whales heading back out to sea after being freed from shark nets at Mooloolaba. Picture Lachie Millard

“On our morning trip for the swim with whales experience our crew noticed a whale headed close to shore and found it was a calf caught in the shark net,” Mr Davis said.

“It seemed to be breathing OK at the time but it couldn’t free itself.”

VMR Mooloolaba was also notified of the incident from a member of the public.

Anyone who spots a whale or other marine animal tangled in fishing gear or shark netting should call the 24-hour Shark Hotline on 1800 806 891.