Outrage has again erupted across the east coast after yet another humpback whale calf was spotted badly entangled in the shark netting off Noosa Heads.
Queensland nets have now captured a tragic 13 whales this migration season, with experts warning that, though many were freed, they often leave the animals traumatised and with serious injuries. The latest entanglement was filmed on Monday afternoon off the coast of the popular Sunshine Coast town, with locals again calling on the state government to remove the nets, saying "enough is enough".
Conservation group Sea Shepherd Australia labelled the latest entanglement "unacceptable and unjustifiable". "Humpback whales are a protected species in Australia, yet the Queensland Government continues to harm them with outdated shark nets," the agency said online, beside the footage.
Heartbreaking images show the panicked calf thrashing to escape the nets while its mother hovers helplessly nearby.
Rebecca Griffiths, Sea Shepherd Australia Shark Defence Campaigner, said the nets shouldn't be placed in the path of migrating whales.
"It's heartbreaking to see yet another whale calf struggling for life in a shark net, a tragedy that is completely preventable," she told Yahoo. "The science is clear: shark nets do not make ocean users safer, and these entanglements are unjustifiable."
One of the biggest issues with keeping the nets in place, according to Sea Shepherd, is the fact that there are no monitoring programs in place after a whale is freed.
They say that often, injuries sustained are too severe to survive -- particularly in calves -- meaning it's likely many preventable deaths take place each year during migration season.
"Entanglements are extremely stressful and exhausting, particularly for newborn calves, and we simply don't know how many survive long-term," Rebecca said.
"If the Queensland Government is truly committed to protecting human life, it should be listening to the evidence and investing in modern, non-lethal technologies backed by science, that better protect people, without harming marine life."
The debate around shark nets has intensified in Australia in recent months, particularly on the east coast. Conservationists have long called for their removal, citing what's perceived as a false sense of security, while the netting routinely kills countless marine animals, including dolphins, turtles and whales.
Following the fatal shark attack of 57-year-old surfer Mercury Psillakis off Dee Why Beach in Sydney last month, NSW Premier Chris Minns paused a planned trial to remove the netting. It was met with both criticism and praise from sections of the public, with the issue remaining deeply divisive.
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In Queensland, the debate has intensified this year. Despite a KPMG report recommending seasonal net removal during whale migration, Premier David Crisafulli has doubled down, committing to expanding netting efforts over environmental objections.
Meanwhile, petitions calling for a ban on nets and drum lines have been tabled in the Queensland Parliament, pushing for the government to pivot towards modern non-lethal alternatives.
Marine experts in the state warn that nets don't reliably stop shark attacks; rather, they act as a psychological buffer. They argue that drones, acoustic listening stations and personal deterrent devices are far safer to ecosystems and equally effective at protecting swimmers without turning the ocean into a trap.
But for surfers and swimmers who frequent Sydney's northern beaches in particular, they say the reassurance -- even if imperfect -- helps them feel safer in the water. Yahoo News has contacted the Queensland Department of Primary Industries with regard to the latest entanglement at Noosa.