Whales trapped in shark nets off Sunshine and Gold Coasts

A man involved in rescuing a whale trapped in a net on the Sunshine Coast confirmed it was safely freed as conservationists slam the government for its shark control program.

A man involved in the rescue of a humpback whale trapped in shark nets at Marcoola Beach has confirmed it was released safely.

Queensland Fisheries employees were alerted on Tuesday morning to whales trapped in shark nets at Marcoola on the Sunshine Coast and Kirra Beach on the Gold Coast.

The two whales were released alive but the entanglements reignited debate around the state government’s shark control program.

Noosa Fisheries station district officer Matthew Albiez said he was made aware of the entrapped whale at Marcoola around 8.10am.

Mr Albiez said he organised a team with Mooloolaba fisheries staff to perform the rescue.

He said they arrived around 10.45am where it appeared the juvenile whale was trapped.

“(The whale) was very calm and able to breathe easily,” he said.

“It was released around 11.30am … it was fine, it swam away freely with no net attached.”

A Fisheries Queensland spokesman said Marine Animal Release Teams freed both humpback whales.

The Gold Coast team and Sea World responded after reports were made to the 24-hour Shark Hotline around 9.45am.

The crews arrived at Kirra Beach about 10.15am and released the whale around midday.

Humpback whales are migrating north from feeding grounds in the Southern Ocean to warmer waters of the Coral Sea.

According to Sea Shepherd four whales were caught in Queensland shark nets in less than a month.

Humane Society International’s marine biologist Lawrence Chlebeck said the state government’s shark control program was “outdated”.

“Today there have been two confirmed whale entanglements in shark nets off Queensland’s coast, in addition to the two already confirmed in the past month,” he said.

“Sadly the public can only watch on in dismay.

“It makes no sense because everyone knows the nets are outdated and not effective at reducing the risk of shark bite to humans. All they do is cause unnecessary injury and death to migrating whales and other precious wildlife.”

A Fisheries Queensland spokesperson said protection of human life was the first priority.

“... But we are continually working on innovation and improvements to the program,” the spokesman said.

“For example, the SCP is trialling catch alert drumlines and drones, and using the latest technology in electronic warning devices, such as acoustic pingers, to alert whales and dolphins of the presence of the nets.

“Changes to the program will not be made unless effective alternatives have been identified and proven suitable for Queensland conditions.”

They said the risk of whale entanglements in shark nets “historically is low”.

According to the fisheries department since 2013 there have been 57 entanglements with 55 released alive.

Sea Shepherd shark defence campaigner Jonathan Clark said “the entire situation could have been prevented”.

“As over 20,000 of these much-loved ocean giants travel along the state’s coastline, the pointless shark ‘control’ program is endangering these and many other iconic creatures,” Mr Clark said.

“The scientific advice for this program could not be clearer: get the nets out now.”

Anyone who sees a marine animal caught on drum lines or shark nets should call the Shark Hotline on 1800 806 891.