🔗 Share this article

An juvenile marine mammal has been discovered dead following being caught in a shark net near the beaches of New South Wales.

An eight-meter whale was found wrapped in barriers north of Wollongong on Tuesday, particularly the waters separating these coastal towns.

This incident represents the 15th whale to become entangled in protective netting along the eastern Australian coastline in the current year, and the first marine animal to have died, thought to have drowned during its travel toward the south.

Discovery and Action

A representative for the state department overseeing marine activities mentioned that shark meshing contractors discovered the dead whale while conducting a routine inspection early Tuesday.

There were no prior reports any calls about a caught cetacean in the Coledale area earlier,” they said, adding that no other marine mammal incidents in coastal barriers had been reported this year.

However, during June, a whale became tangled in a drumline setup off Nobby’s beach.

Marine protection agencies, marine rescue organizations and emergency responders responded on Tuesday afternoon, observing the immature cetacean with net tangled around its tail and side fin.

“Each participant tried their best to disentangle the dead cetacean,” said coastal authority the responder.

Difficulties and Aftermath

“The plan was to take the body to a site where it could be removed out of the ocean,” he said. Shortly before 3pm, “the mix of adverse marine environment and the proximity to rocks and the shoreline created dangers for marine personnel to continue operations, so we were obliged to stop”.

The body washed ashore that evening. ORRCA said in a statement: “Currently, the reason for death is not determined and won’t be confirmed until … a examination is conducted.”

Shark Net System Information

In place are fifty-one marine barriers set up along the coast, that include with audible deterrents and acoustic devices.

The devices “emit a high-pitched acoustic signal that deters the mammals from the vicinity and reduces the chances of trapping,” the official noted.

“The NSW government is researching new shark mitigation technologies designed to minimise harm to sea creatures and safeguarding swimmers.”

Calls for Change

The whale drowning sparked fresh calls for the NSW government to end its netting system.

Politician Cate Faehrmann remarked that it was “profoundly tragic to see a whale calf die like this, especially because its passing was totally preventable”.

“Every year when the nets go in, we observe more whales and other wildlife such as dolphins, threatened sea turtles and highly threatened shark species ensnared, wounded or deceased.”

Researcher Insights

Marine researcher, studying ocean creatures at the institution, commented there was little evidence to show that protective nets had prevented shark bites historically.

Wide-ranging extraction of sharks near coastlines as a mitigation measure” did little to reduce danger, he said.

The researcher stated whale calves faced greater danger of entanglement and drowning.

“We know that they lack awareness the risks posed by netting.”

Marine mammals learn over time, learning to communicate on risky zones, Meynecke added.

A juvenile marine mammal “would panic quite quickly and amid turbulent waters there is the risk of drowning”.

Official Response and Alternatives

Politician the official said in a statement: “Officials can help keep ocean-goers safe by boosting funding in contemporary options to old and inefficient marine barriers and deterrents.

“Options consist of supporting individual protection tools, monitoring systems, environmentally friendly barriers, bite-proof wetsuits, and enhancing awareness campaigns.

“A government study into shark risk mitigation advised national authorities demonstrate country-wide initiative on supporting such financing, but this advice was not followed.”

Whish-Wilson also called on the central government to remove an exemption in the country’s conservation rules that permits local marine elimination initiatives.

“Federal law allows the government-approved harm to wildlife that is occurring off our Queensland and NSW coastlines via hazardous and outdated EPBC exemption.

“Now is the period to stop the world’s longest marine cull and halt this cruel officially permitted creature suffering.”