UPDATE | A whale caught in shark nets off the Gold Coast has now successfully been freed following a delicate rescue operation.
The sub-adult humpback became trapped in the nets at Mermaid Beach late last night, with Sea World and Fisheries Crews heading out at first light this morning.
Despite the whale being quite entangled, it only took them around an hour to free the mammal.
It’s the first whale to run afoul of shark nets this migration season, however it’s not expected to be the last, with more than 40,000 whales set to pass through our waters this Winter.
EARLIER | A delicate rescue operation is right now underway to free a whale trapped in shark nets off the Gold Coast.
The sub-adult humpback is understood to have become caught in the nets at Mermaid Beach late last night.
Sea World and Department of Agriculture and Fisheries crews are currently in the water undertaking the rescue operation, with the whale believed to be quite entangled.
It’s the first whale to run afoul of shark nets this migration season, which only officially kicked off last week.
It’s no doubt expected to again heat up the debate surrounding the need for nets, especially during the winter migration season.
