Whale released after being trapped in nets off Noosa

Dramatic footage reveals the moment a “crying” whale calf is released from shark nets off the coast of Noosa, the region’s second whale entanglement in less than a week.

Dramatic drone vision has emerged of a humpback whale calf in shark nets off the coast of a popular Noosa beach, the second entanglement in three days on the Sunshine Coast.

A Tewantin resident reported the incident to authorities after hearing the whales’ cries at 5am.

A Shark Control Program contractor confirmed the entanglement around 7am and the whale was released around 7.35am.

The whale swam away and rejoined its mother.

Sunrise Beach woman and Sea Shepherd volunteer Taylor Ladd-Hudson captured the incident on her drone.

“The whale calf was struggling without the mother, it was very tired and was barely coming up to breathe,” Ms Ladd-Hudson said.

“It was just absolutely heartbreaking to see this happening in my backyard.”

A humpback whale was released after being trapped in shark nets off the coast of Noosa on Tuesday morning. Picture: Sea Shepherd

Ms Ladd-Hudson said it is not the first time she has seen a whale become trapped in nets off Noosa.

“I have witnessed this three years in a row, it is happening far too often,” she added.

A humpback whale was released after being trapped in shark nets off the coast of Noosa on Tuesday morning. Picture: Sea Shepherd

An avid drone pilot, Ms Ladd-Hudson advocated for the use of remote-piloted aircraft as part of the shark control program.

“I would love to see drone surveillance implemented at Noosa Main Beach, specifically working alongside Surf Lifesaving Queensland,” she said.

“Drones have many positive benefits, they can spot and ID sharks and they can also perform rescues by deploying an inflatable device until someone can reach the patient in need.”

Sea Shepherd Shark Defence Campaign co-ordinator Jonathan Clark expressed his concerns over the shark nets program.

“These whales are getting caught through the night, they could be spending many hours in those shark nets before they are released,” Mr Clark said.

“There are also other creatures that shouldn’t be getting caught in them becoming trapped.

It comes after a juvenile humpback whale became entangled in shark nets off the coast of Alexandra Headland on Sunday.

Residents reported hearing a “weird noise” suspected to be from the mother when a juvenile humpback whale was entangled in a shark net off Alexandra Headland.

Damian Coulter was heading out for a surf check when he heard the noise.

“I was going just down like I do every morning and as soon as I walk out of my unit, I could hear a weird noise,” Mr Coulter said.

“It was a really piercing screaming sound, I thought somebody down the beach was playing a didgeridoo.

“I’ve never heard of anything like that before in my life, it was just really weird and I could constantly hear it, I couldn’t figure out what was going on.

“I got a coffee and then a friend of mine texted me saying there’s a whale caught in the nets.”

A humpback whale calf became entangled in shark nets off Alexandra Headland on Sunday. Picture: Damian Coulter

Mr Coulter returned home to grab his drone, before proceeding to record the incident as it unfolded.

“It was actually pretty distressing, it was very upsetting,” he added.

“Everyone on the beach was bewildered.

“I had my drone up for as long as I could checking on the calf and the mother.”

Alexandra Headland man Damian Coulter is a regular on the water. Picture: Supplied

Fisheries Queensland Shark Control Program manager Michael Mikitis said the incident was reported to authorities at 5.30am and the whale was released by 7.30am.

Mr Mikitis said the public should notify authorities if they see animals entangled in shark nets.

“Do not approach or try to release it,” he said.

The Shark Control Program hotline is 1800 806 891.

The latest footage follows the release of a viral video showing a great white shark being towed to sea after being caught on a drum line at Mudjimba Beach, as well as drone vision of a dolphin hooked on a drum line at Kawana in late August, that prompted fresh calls for a new approach to shark control.

More than 20 beaches on the Sunshine Coast have shark nets and drumlines offshore.

As of last month, 83 animals caught in the nets so far this year off the Sunshine Coast, with 68 of those animals sharks.

So far for the 2023 migration season there has been eight entanglements involving 10 whales and all swam off after being freed.