Whale freed after becoming trapped in shark nets

Drone footage was captured of the tired humpback heavily ensnared in the nets off Noosa Main Beach by hobbyist drone pilot Tom Loubardi this morning, prompting a rescue mission.

Loubardi, who was called to the scene around 7am said seeing the trapped whale was incredibly distressing.

“I was very sad, I am trying to record as much as I can because I love animals and I love whales a lot,” he said.

“It’s something you don’t expect and don’t want to see- it was a very sad moment.”

Loubardi said he had seen another whale calf become trapped in the same shark net in October last year.

“I know these shark nets kill so many animals from turtles, dolphins, big fish- I don’t think we need shark nets on the coast,” he said.

“Everywhere in Australia has the same problem it’s just killing wildlife and animals everywhere- not good.”

Loubardi said the whale remained motionless after its rescue before swimming away.

“Who knows what the stress will make to the whale, very sad news,” he said.

A spokesperson from the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries said rescue crews were able to free the whale around 9am this morning.

“The Queensland Boating and Fisheries Patrol’s Marine Animal Release Team (MART) was quickly on scene to unpick the net from the 8-metre whale’s tail,” the spokesperson said.

“This was the tenth activation for MART this year.”

The incident is the latest in a series of entrapments this whale season, prompting renewed calls to address the risks of shark nets on Australian beaches.

Minister for Agricultural Industry Development and Fisheries and Minister for Rural Communities Mark Furner said the nets would not be removed until it was deemed safe to do so.

“Protection of human life will always come first under the Palaszczuk Government,” he said.

“We continue to invest in innovation in the Shark Control Program, but we will make no changes unless we are convinced they can be safe and appropriate in Queensland conditions.”