A group of individuals from the Sunshine Coast, Australia, have faced potential legal consequences for rescuing a humpback whale trapped in a shark net. The rescue team, consisting of Will Wensley, Brenton Owens, Luke Bird, and Jaz Sol, took action after reporting the whale’s distress to authorities and waiting for nearly an hour without receiving any response. They paddle-boarded out to the whale and used a knife to cut the net around it, freeing the animal from a state of distress.
The whale was discovered in a state of distress at Marcoola Beach. Members of the public have attempted whale rescues in the past, but such actions can put rescuers in great danger. Humpback whales are massive animals, and when distressed, they can behave erratically, potentially causing harm to well-intended rescuers. A humpback’s pectoral fin alone can weigh up to a tonne and be five meters long. In Queensland, a person can be fined for entering waters within 100 meters of a whale, but there is an exemption for those with a reasonable excuse. However, it is illegal to come within 20 meters of shark nets used in Queensland’s shark control program, and there is no exemption for reasonable excuse.
The Department of Agriculture and Fisheries (DAF) has stated that it would consider whether an investigation is required into possible offences under the Fisheries Act 1994. The DAF spokesperson also emphasized the importance of public safety, advising against approaching or trying to release whales trapped in nets. Instead, they encourage calling the Shark Control Program hotline and allowing trained and properly equipped experts to handle such situations.
The incident marks the second whale entanglement involving shark nets on the Sunshine Coast since the start of this year’s whale migration. Critics like Sea Shepherd Australia’s shark defence campaigner, Jonathan Clark, view shark nets as outdated and inhumane, advocating for their removal. The Queensland government has committed funds to research and trial alternatives to current shark control equipment and a drone trial. The damaged net at Marcoola will be replaced when conditions allow.
