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A juvenile whale calf was found dead following being caught in a shark net off the coast of New South Wales.

The 8-metre whale was found entangled in netting in northern Wollongong waters on Tuesday, specifically the sea between Coledale and Wombarra.

This occurrence represents the 15th cetacean trapped in shark nets along Australia’s east coast so far this year, and it is the first whale to have died, presumed to have been suffocated amid its journey toward the south.

Discovery and Reaction

A representative for the NSW department handling fisheries and regional matters stated that shark meshing contractors found the deceased calf during a regular examination on Tuesday morning.

“DPIRD did not receive any alerts regarding a trapped whale at Coledale prior to this,” they said, further stating that no further whale entanglements in state netting had been reported this year.

But, during June, a marine mammal got caught in a drumline setup along the Newcastle coast.

State wildlife authorities, marine rescue organizations and coastal rescue teams took action that afternoon, discovering the juvenile marine animal with net wrapped around its tail and side fin.

“Everyone involved made every effort to free the deceased cetacean,” stated coastal authority Stuart Massey.

Challenges and Consequences

The intention was to move the carcass to a location where extraction was possible from the sea,” he said. Shortly before 3pm, “the combination of adverse marine environment and the proximity to rocks and the shoreline created dangers for marine personnel to remain there, so we were forced to abandon”.

The body washed ashore that evening. The organization stated: “For now, the cause of death is not determined and will remain unclear until … a examination is conducted.”

Shark Net System Information

Currently deployed are fifty-one marine barriers deployed in NSW, which are fitted with acoustic “whale alarms” and marine mammal warnings.

These tools “emit a high-frequency sound wave that repels the mammals from the area and lowers the risk of entanglement,” the DPIRD spokesperson noted.

“State authorities will continue to investigate modern deterrent systems designed to minimise harm to sea creatures while protecting beachgoers.”

Appeals for Reform

The whale drowning caused renewed appeals for the NSW government to terminate its netting system.

Politician Cate Faehrmann said it was “profoundly tragic to witness a young whale succumb this way, notably as its demise was completely avoidable”.

“Annually when the nets go in, we see more whales and other wildlife such as dolphins, threatened sea turtles and highly threatened shark species trapped, injured or killed.”

Researcher Opinions

Dr Olaf Meynecke, studying ocean creatures at the university, commented data is limited to suggest that marine barriers averted marine incidents in the past.

Wide-ranging extraction of ocean hunters near coastlines for safety reasons” had minimal impact on threat, he said.

The expert explained young whales were at higher risk of being trapped and suffocating.

“Research shows that they lack awareness the hazards posed by netting.”

Whales learn over time, learning to communicate about dangerous locations, the researcher noted.

An immature cetacean “could easily become distressed and amid turbulent waters there is the risk of death”.

Official Response and Alternatives

Politician Peter Whish-Wilson stated: “Governments should support protect marine visitors by boosting funding in modern-day alternatives to old and inefficient nets and lines.

“Options consist of supporting shark shield personal deterrent devices, observation initiatives, sustainable marine protections, protective swimwear, and improving public education.

“A 2017 Senate inquiry on marine safety suggested central government demonstrate country-wide initiative on supporting such financing, but these recommendations were overlooked.”

The senator additionally urged the central government to eliminate a loophole in the country’s conservation rules that enables state-controlled shark cull programs.

“Government regulations facilitates the officially permitted marine mammal suffering that is happening near Australian beaches using risky and old-fashioned EPBC exemption.

“The moment has come to terminate the planet’s most extended ocean elimination and stop this barbaric government-sanctioned animal cruelty.”