Distressing scenes as whales fight for life in Sunshine Coast shark nets
A second baby whale has become trapped in a Sunshine Coast shark net less than two days after a mother and calf became entangled in a distressing situation in Noosa.
A baby whale has become trapped in a second shocking shark net entrapment in two days off Sunshine Coast beaches.
This morning, Michaela Nottage observed reports of a calf being stuck in a net on beach access 100 in Marcoola beach at 7.30am.
“They swam in the nets at 7.30am, three whales there, one calf stuck,” Ms Nottage said.
Initial reports claimed up to two whales were caught in the net.
Conservation organisation the Envoy Foundation was also at the scene in Marcoola and initially reported up to two whales were trapped.
A Department of Primary Industries spokeswoman, however, confirmed one “juvenile whale” had become entangled.
This second incident comes after a shocking entanglement of a mother whale and baby in Noosa earlier this week.
“We have yet another humpback whale entanglement on the Sunshine Coast today in shark nets,” the Envoy Foundation spokesman said.
The spokesman said on the video the whales were displaying signs of discomfort.
“Stress breathing very heavily, it’s all very very loud, very audible can be heard from the shore,” the spokesman said.
“The distress is clear and its obvious.”
Ms Nottage called local services to help when she saw the distressing incident.
“I called coast guard water police, Marcoola police, QLD parks and wildlife, and shark drum lines,” Ms Nottage said.
“They are assembling a team now and contacted me to inform me.”
A Department of Primary Industries spokeswoman confirmed a Sunshine Coast shark contractor and a trained marine animal release team from the Sunshine Coast have successfully released a juvenile whale entangled in a shark net at the beach.
She said whale was reported just before 8am and the was “successfully released” about 10am.
“We thank everyone who contacted the hotline, enabling us to provide prompt assistance,” the spokeswoman said.
She said the net was being replaced.
“We remind the public that for their own safety, it is dangerous to approach or try to release whales trapped in nets,” the spokeswoman said.
Sea Shepherd Australia Shark Defence Campaigner Rebecca Griffiths says there are better alternatives to shark nets.
“The science is clear: shark nets don’t protect people, and there are modern, non-lethal alternatives, backed by experts,” Ms Griffiths said.
“The most effective approach is a combination of measures: drones flown by surf lifesavers, physical barriers like the Eco Shark Barrier, and personal deterrents.
“Public education is also essential, so people understand when sharks are more likely to be present, such as at dawn or dusk, after heavy rainfall, or when bait balls are in the area, then people can undertake risk assessments before entering the water.
“The ocean is a wild place and risk can never be eliminated completely , but we can manage it far more effectively without harming marine life.”
Noosa Heads incident
This second distressing incident comes less than two days after footage of a humpback baby whale trapped in a shark net and unable to breathe, as its mother fought to help it surface, in Noosa Heads.
Geoff Aquino has recorded drone footage of whales in Laguna Bay at Noosa Heads for about eight years.
Yesterday, about 5pm as he was leaving work, he was called to the beach to capture the latest entanglement in the shark net opposite the entrance to Noosa National Park.
He said he saw a calf whale completely wrapped in a net, with its mother also entangled and trying desperately to roll off her baby so the baby could surface to breathe.
He later shared some of his footage to social media.
“You don’t actually see what I’ve seen on this video because I didn’t want to be more shocking,” Mr Aquino said.
“When the baby emerged, I could see it fighting for air.”
He said the calf looked like a “mummy” wrapped in the net.
The filmmaker said the mother was also tail slapping and attempting to breach, to free herself.
“She was fighting hard, so hard,” Mr Aquino said.
The filmmaker went back this morning and was happy to see the net gone but did not know what happened to the mother and calf.
Mr Aquino said he had filmed other babies and mothers using Laguna Bay as a resting place over the years because it was a protected area and “safe”.
“This is a feeding ground, why are we putting shark nets out here?” he said.
A Department of Primary Industries spokesman said the whales were successfully released.
“A shark control program contractor attended the location last night and facilitated a safe release,” he said.
The spokesman said it was dangerous for members of the public to approach or try to release whales trapped in nets.
“Call the Shark Control Program hotline on 1800 806 891 and let the trained and properly equipped experts do their job,” he said.
This latest incident comes as another humpback whale with a calf became entangled in a shark net at Rainbow Beach, dragging the net into Hervey Bay water.
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