Stephanie Heath
Distressing footage shows the moment that a whale and her calf become desperately tangled in a shark net. Fortunately, this story has a happy ending.
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The Details: To mitigate shark attacks in Australia, officials have deployed shark nets along various beaches. While these nets prove to be somewhat effective at stopping sharks, they unfortunatley also wreak havoc on the ocean. They do this by entrapping various other ocean wildlife, including whales.
- The incident occurred near Noosa Main Beach in Australia.
- A mother humpback whale and her calf became trapped inside of a shark net.
- The mother and her whale were later successfully released from the net.
Whale And Calf Are Released After Getting Tangled In Shark Net
Fortunatley, this story had a happy ending. The Department of Primary Industries confirmed that a Shark Control Program contractor was called in and was successful in cutting the whales loose. Additionally, they shared some statistics about whales getting tangled in shark nets.
- They shared that the amount of whales entangled in shark nets increases during whale migration season, which spans from May to September.
- Additionally they shared statictis surrounding the amount of whales that get tangled in these nets.
- “It is estimated that more than 40,000 humpback whales migrate along the Queensland coastline each year and, on average, fewer than 6 become entangled in nets or drumlines.”
Animal Welfare Groups Aren’t Happy: While no one is thrilled with an animal being trapped in a shark net, none are more upset than animal welfare groups. Many argued how the calf faced the serious risk of drowning while being trapped in the net.
Additionally, this incident has reignited the debate that the shark nets should be removed asap. People Magazine shared that back in July, “the New South Wales government announced a trial period for removing the controversial nets near three beaches in Sydney and the Central Coast.”
- These conversations were paused after a fatal shark attack in Dee Why.
- Now the debate remains open whether or not shark nets are effective or destrustive.
