A humpback whale and her calf became entangled in shark nets off the Gold Coast on Saturday, as debate over the use of such nets intensifies. Rescuers from Sea World and Queensland Boating and Fisheries Patrol worked to cut the animals free near Coolangatta Beach.
The teams used specialised cutting equipment while the mother kept her four-metre calf near the surface. Queensland Boating and Fisheries Patrol spokesman Mark Saul said calm conditions and the whales' behaviour aided the rescue. 'Mum had just pushed into the nets slightly to help keep the calf up on the surface,' he told the ABC. After several cuts, both whales swam away to the south-east in good health.
The incident comes amid increased debate about shark nets in New South Wales and around the country following a spate of shark attacks. NSW Premier Mike Baird recently reversed his opposition to nets on the state's northern beaches after a surfer was bitten near Ballina, the area's sixth attack since early 2015.
Experts argue there is little evidence nets alone make beaches safer, as they are 150 metres long and six metres deep, allowing sharks to bypass them. In 2014-15, nets killed 116 of 189 marine animals caught, but only 44 were target species. Ballina mayor David Wright opposes the nets, though locals fear more attacks, with surf shop sales dropping 90 per cent after recent incidents.
