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A young whale calf has been discovered lifeless following being caught in a mesh netting near the beaches of New South Wales.

The juvenile calf was found wrapped in mesh north of Wollongong earlier this week, specifically the ocean between these coastal towns.

This event marks the 15th whale caught in protective netting along Australia’s east coast in the current year, while being the initial cetacean to have died, thought to have succumbed to drowning while on its journey south.

Finding and Action

A representative for the government body overseeing marine activities explained that marine safety teams discovered the deceased calf during a regular examination this week.

There were no prior reports any reports of a whale entanglement near Coledale prior to this,” the official noted, adding that no other cetacean traps in coastal barriers were recorded this year.

However, in June, a marine mammal was trapped in a drumline setup near Nobby’s beach.

State wildlife authorities, ORRCA and coastal rescue teams took action later that day, observing the juvenile whale with mesh tangled around its tail and side fin.

“All responders made every effort to disentangle the dead animal,” stated Marine Rescue NSW inspector the responder.

Challenges and Aftermath

The strategy was to move the carcass to a location where extraction was possible out of the ocean,” Massey noted. Shortly before 3pm, “the situation of adverse marine environment and the nearby rocks and beach meant it was becoming unsafe for the rescue team to continue operations, so we were obliged to stop”.

The body drifted to land later that day. Marine experts explained: “At this stage, the reason for death is not determined and will remain unclear until … a examination is performed.”

Marine Barrier Setup Facts

There are 51 shark nets installed in the region, that include with sound-based alerts and acoustic devices.

The devices “produce a high-pitched acoustic signal that repels the cetaceans from the area and reduces the chances of trapping,” the official said.

“The NSW government plans to examine advanced marine safety methods aimed at reducing impacts on marine animals while protecting beachgoers.”

Calls for Change

The calf’s death caused renewed demands for the local government to end its shark netting program.

NSW Greens MP the representative stated it was “absolutely heartbreaking to see a whale calf die like this, especially because its death was totally preventable”.

“Each year as nets are deployed, we see further marine mammals and additional creatures like dolphins, endangered loggerhead turtles and rare nurse sharks trapped, injured or killed.”

Specialist Insights

Marine researcher, focused on marine mammals at the university, commented there was little evidence to suggest that protective nets averted shark attacks previously.

The “large-scale removal of sharks along beaches as protective steps” had minimal impact on threat, the doctor noted.

The expert explained juvenile cetaceans were at higher risk of capture and death.

“It is understood that they don’t recognize the hazards of nets.”

Marine mammals develop experience, acquiring communication skills about dangerous locations, Meynecke added.

A young whale “might rapidly feel terror and if you’ve got high seas the possibility arises of suffocation”.

Government Statements and Solutions

Legislator Peter Whish-Wilson stated: “Officials are able to assist keep ocean-goers safe by boosting funding in current solutions to archaic and useless shark nets and drumlines.

“Alternatives involve funding individual protection tools, observation initiatives, environmentally friendly barriers, protective swimwear, and bettering informational efforts.

“An official investigation into shark risk mitigation suggested central government take leading action on driving this investment, but these recommendations were overlooked.”

The senator additionally urged the federal government to revoke a special allowance in the federal protection legislation that enables regional predator removal plans.

“Federal law facilitates the officially permitted marine mammal suffering that is happening near Australian beaches through a dangerous and archaic EPBC exemption.

“Now is the period to stop the global lengthiest sea creature removal and cease this inhumane officially permitted creature suffering.”