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A young humpback whale has been located dead after becoming entangled in a protective barrier off the coast of New South Wales.

An eight-meter calf was located entangled in netting off the Wollongong coastline this Tuesday, in the ocean separating Coledale and Wombarra.

This event is the 15th cetacean trapped in marine barriers along the eastern Australian coastline so far this year, and the first whale that has perished, thought to have drowned amid its migration toward the south.

Location and Response

An official for the NSW department handling fisheries and regional matters explained that netting crews found the deceased whale while conducting a regular examination this week.

There were no prior reports any calls of a whale entanglement at Coledale earlier,” they said, further stating that no further whale entanglements in state netting were notified in the current period.

But, earlier this year, a whale became tangled in a shark drumline along the Newcastle coast.

The NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service, the Organisation for the Rescue and Research of Cetaceans in Australia and emergency responders responded that afternoon, observing the young marine animal with barrier tangled around its rear and side appendages.

“Everyone involved did their utmost to release the deceased animal,” said Marine Rescue NSW inspector Stuart Massey.

Challenges and Consequences

The strategy was to take the carcass to a location where it could be removed out of the ocean,” he said. Shortly before 3pm, “the situation of adverse marine environment and the proximity to rocks and the shoreline created dangers for our vessel and crew to remain there, so we were obliged to stop”.

The body came onto the beach that evening. The organization stated: “Currently, the fatality cause is not determined and won’t be confirmed until … a examination is carried out.”

Protective Netting System Information

Currently deployed are 51 shark nets installed in the region, which are fitted with sound-based alerts and “dolphin pingers”.

The devices “send out a sonic pulse that deters the mammals from the vicinity and minimizes the possibility of capture,” the DPIRD spokesperson said.

“State authorities is researching modern deterrent systems aimed at reducing harm to sea creatures and safeguarding beachgoers.”

Calls for Change

The calf’s death caused renewed demands for the NSW government to end its shark netting program.

Legislator Cate Faehrmann remarked how “profoundly tragic to witness a young whale perish in this manner, especially because its death was totally preventable”.

“Every year during net installation, we witness further marine mammals and other wildlife such as dolphins, endangered loggerhead turtles and rare nurse sharks caught, harmed or killed.”

Specialist Opinions

University expert, focused on marine mammals at Griffith University, said there was little evidence to indicate that marine barriers had prevented shark attacks historically.

The “large-scale removal of marine predators near coastlines for safety reasons” did little to reduce threat, he said.

The expert explained young whales faced greater danger of entanglement and drowning.

“It is understood that they lack awareness the risks of nets.”

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

A young whale “could easily become distressed and if you’ve got high seas there is the risk of drowning”.

Official Statements and Solutions

Legislator the official commented: “Officials should support ensure swimmer safety by supercharging investment in modern-day alternatives to outdated and ineffective shark nets and drumlines.

“These include supporting personal shark repellents, shark spotter programs, sustainable marine protections, protective swimwear, and bettering informational efforts.

“A 2017 Senate inquiry regarding ocean threats advised national authorities demonstrate country-wide initiative on promoting these funds, but this has so far been ignored.”

The senator additionally urged the national authorities to eliminate a loophole in the federal protection legislation that permits state-controlled shark cull programs.

“Government regulations allows the government-approved harm to wildlife that is happening along the eastern shores using risky and old-fashioned EPBC exemption.

“Now is the period to end the global lengthiest sea creature removal and halt this cruel state-approved wildlife harm.”