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An juvenile humpback whale has been discovered lifeless following getting trapped in a shark net off the coast of New South Wales.

The juvenile calf was located entangled in netting north of Wollongong earlier this week, particularly the sea separating Coledale and Wombarra.

This occurrence marks the fifteenth marine mammal caught in shark nets off the eastern Australian coastline so far this year, and the first cetacean that has perished, thought to have been suffocated while on its travel to Antarctic waters.

Location and Action

A spokesperson for the government body of primary industries and regional development explained that shark meshing contractors found the deceased calf while conducting a regular examination on Tuesday morning.

There were no prior reports any alerts of a whale entanglement near Coledale before this incident,” they said, further stating that no further cetacean traps in state netting were recorded this year.

But, earlier this year, a marine mammal was trapped in a marine deterrent 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 took action later that day, finding the young cetacean with barrier entwined with its tail and side fin.

“Each participant made every effort to free the deceased animal,” commented Marine Rescue NSW inspector the responder.

Challenges and Outcome

“The plan involved transporting the remains to a location where extraction was possible from the sea,” Massey noted. Earlier that day, “the combination of rough ocean weather and the proximity to rocks and the shoreline made it hazardous for the rescue team to continue operations, so we were compelled to halt”.

The remains washed ashore that evening. The organization stated: “At this stage, the cause of death remains unclear and will remain unclear until … a necrops is conducted.”

Shark Net Program Details

Currently deployed are over fifty nets installed in the region, which are fitted with acoustic “whale alarms” and acoustic devices.

The devices “send out a high-pitched acoustic signal that repels the mammals from the area and reduces the chances of capture,” the DPIRD spokesperson said.

“State authorities will continue to investigate new shark mitigation technologies aimed at reducing impacts on marine animals while ensuring safety for beachgoers.”

Demands for Action

The whale drowning caused renewed demands for the local government to discontinue its netting system.

Legislator Cate Faehrmann said it was “absolutely heartbreaking to see a young whale succumb this way, especially because its demise was completely avoidable”.

“Annually as nets are deployed, we observe additional cetaceans and other wildlife like dolphins, at-risk marine reptiles and highly threatened shark species caught, harmed or killed.”

Specialist Perspectives

Dr Olaf Meynecke, who researches sea animals at the university, explained data is limited to show that protective nets averted shark bites historically.

The “large-scale removal of marine predators near coastlines as protective steps” barely decreased risk, Meynecke explained.

Meynecke said young whales faced greater danger of entanglement and drowning.

“We know that they lack awareness of the dangers posed by netting.”

Cetaceans learn over time, understanding how to share about dangerous locations, he said.

A juvenile marine mammal “would panic quite quickly and with rough ocean conditions there is the risk of drowning”.

Official Response and Alternatives

Greens senator the official stated: “Governments are able to assist protect marine visitors by increasing financial support in current solutions to archaic and useless marine barriers and deterrents.

“These include subsidising personal shark repellents, monitoring systems, eco-shark barriers, protective swimwear, and bettering informational efforts.

“A 2017 Senate inquiry regarding ocean threats recommended the federal government take leading action on driving this investment, but this advice was not followed.”

The official further demanded the central government to eliminate a loophole in the country’s conservation rules that allows regional predator removal plans.

“Federal law facilitates the officially permitted marine mammal suffering that is occurring along the eastern shores via hazardous and outdated EPBC exemption.

“It’s time to terminate the world’s longest marine cull and halt this cruel state-approved wildlife harm.”