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A immature humpback whale has been located lifeless following being caught in a shark net off the coast of NSW.

The 8-metre whale was discovered wrapped in mesh in northern Wollongong waters on Tuesday, in the sea separating Wombarra and Coledale.

This event marks the fifteenth marine mammal caught in shark nets off the coast of eastern Australia this year, and it is the first marine animal that has perished, believed to have succumbed to drowning during its travel south.

Location and Reaction

A representative for the state department of primary industries and regional development stated that netting crews located the lifeless calf during a standard check early Tuesday.

There were no prior reports any calls about a caught cetacean at Coledale earlier,” they said, adding that no additional whale entanglements in coastal barriers had been reported in the current period.

However, in June, a marine mammal was trapped in a drumline setup along the Newcastle coast.

Marine protection agencies, ORRCA and coastal rescue teams arrived on scene later that day, finding the immature marine animal with mesh tangled around its tail and side fin.

“Each participant did their utmost to disentangle the dead animal,” said rescue official Stuart Massey.

Challenges and Consequences

“The plan was to take the carcass to a site for removal out of the ocean,” the inspector explained. Shortly before 3pm, “the situation of adverse marine environment and the nearby rocks and beach made it hazardous for our vessel and crew to continue operations, so we were obliged to stop”.

The whale carcass came onto the beach that evening. Marine experts explained: “At this stage, the cause of death is unknown and won’t be confirmed until … a examination is carried out.”

Protective Netting Setup Facts

There are fifty-one marine barriers deployed in NSW, that include with sound-based alerts and “dolphin pingers”.

These tools “produce a high-frequency sound wave that repels the marine animals from the area and minimizes the possibility of capture,” the official said.

“State authorities plans to examine new shark mitigation technologies aimed at reducing impacts on marine animals and safeguarding coastal visitors.”

Demands for Action

This tragic incident sparked fresh demands for the state authorities to terminate its netting system.

NSW Greens MP Cate Faehrmann remarked that it was “deeply saddening to witness a whale calf perish in this manner, notably as its death was totally preventable”.

“Every year during net installation, we see additional cetaceans and other animals including dolphins, endangered loggerhead turtles and critically endangered grey nurse sharks ensnared, wounded or deceased.”

Specialist Insights

Marine researcher, focused on sea animals at the university, said there was little evidence to show that protective nets averted shark attacks historically.

The “large-scale removal of marine predators along beaches as a mitigation measure” barely decreased risk, the doctor noted.

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

“It is understood that they lack awareness the hazards from barriers.”

Marine mammals learn over time, understanding how to share on risky zones, he said.

A juvenile marine mammal “could easily become distressed and if you’ve got high seas the possibility arises of suffocation”.

Official Response and Alternatives

Politician Peter Whish-Wilson said in a statement: “Officials are able to assist keep ocean-goers safe by boosting funding in contemporary options to outdated and ineffective nets and lines.

“These include supporting shark shield personal deterrent devices, monitoring systems, environmentally friendly barriers, bite-proof wetsuits, and enhancing awareness campaigns.

“A government study on marine safety suggested central government take leading action on promoting these funds, but these recommendations were overlooked.”

The official further demanded the federal government to remove an exemption in the federal protection legislation that allows regional predator removal plans.

“Federal law allows the state-sanctioned animal cruelty that is occurring near Australian beaches through a dangerous and archaic environmental law exception.

“Now is the period to stop the planet’s most extended ocean elimination and halt this cruel state-approved wildlife harm.”