🔗 Share this article

An juvenile whale calf has been discovered deceased following getting trapped in a mesh netting near the beaches of New South Wales.

The 8-metre marine creature was found trapped by barriers north of Wollongong earlier this week, particularly the ocean separating Wombarra and Coledale.

This incident is the fifteenth marine mammal to become entangled in protective netting along the coast of eastern Australia this year, and it is the first cetacean to have died, thought to have drowned during its journey south.

Finding and Reaction

An official for the NSW department handling fisheries and regional matters explained that netting crews discovered the dead calf while conducting a standard check early Tuesday.

There were no prior reports any calls about a caught cetacean in the Coledale area prior to this,” the spokesperson added, further stating that no additional cetacean traps in coastal barriers were recorded so far this year.

But, earlier this year, a whale became tangled in a marine deterrent along the Newcastle coast.

The NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service, ORRCA and Marine Rescue NSW arrived on scene on Tuesday afternoon, finding the young whale with barrier entwined with its tail and side fin.

“Everyone involved made every effort to disentangle the dead whale,” stated rescue official the inspector.

Obstacles and Outcome

The intention was to move the remains to a site where extraction was possible from the sea,” the inspector explained. Earlier that day, “the mix of rough ocean weather and the closeness to rocky areas and coast meant it was becoming unsafe for the rescue team to continue operations, so we were obliged to stop”.

The whale carcass came onto the beach on Tuesday night. The organization stated: “Currently, the cause of death is not determined and will stay uncertain until … a examination is conducted.”

Protective Netting Program Details

Currently deployed are over fifty nets set up along the coast, which are fitted with audible deterrents and marine mammal warnings.

These tools “produce a high-frequency sound wave that discourages the cetaceans from the area and reduces the chances of entanglement,” the official noted.

“State authorities is researching new shark mitigation technologies intended to lessen harm to sea creatures while ensuring safety for swimmers.”

Appeals for Reform

The whale drowning caused renewed calls for the local government to discontinue its marine barrier initiative.

NSW Greens MP the MP remarked that it was “profoundly tragic to observe a baby humpback whale perish in this manner, notably as its passing was totally preventable”.

“Each year when the nets go in, we observe more whales and additional creatures such as dolphins, at-risk marine reptiles and critically endangered grey nurse sharks ensnared, wounded or deceased.”

Researcher Perspectives

University expert, focused on ocean creatures at the institution, commented proof is scarce to show that marine barriers had prevented shark attacks historically.

Extensive elimination of marine predators along beaches as a mitigation measure” did little to reduce risk, Meynecke explained.

The expert explained juvenile cetaceans were at higher risk of being trapped and suffocating.

“Research shows that they don’t recognize the hazards posed by netting.”

Whales learn over time, understanding how to share regarding hazardous areas, he said.

A juvenile marine mammal “might rapidly feel terror and if you’ve got high seas the possibility arises of suffocation”.

Government Statements and Solutions

Legislator the official said in a statement: “Governments can help protect marine visitors by supercharging investment in modern-day alternatives to archaic and useless nets and lines.

“These include subsidising shark shield personal deterrent devices, monitoring systems, environmentally friendly barriers, shark-resistant gear, and improving public education.

“An official investigation on marine safety recommended the federal government take leading action on driving this investment, but these recommendations were overlooked.”

Whish-Wilson also called on the federal government to remove an exemption in the federal protection legislation that enables regional predator removal plans.

“Government regulations allows the government-approved harm to wildlife that is occurring off our Queensland and NSW coastlines via hazardous and outdated protection bypass.

“Now is the period to stop the planet’s most extended ocean elimination and halt this cruel officially permitted creature suffering.”