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A juvenile marine mammal was found dead after being caught in a shark net off the coast of New South Wales.

The 8-metre marine creature was found entangled in barriers off the Wollongong coastline on Tuesday, in the sea separating these coastal towns.

This event is the 15th cetacean caught in shark nets along the coast of eastern Australia so far this year, while being the initial whale confirmed dead, presumed to have been suffocated while on its travel to Antarctic waters.

Finding and Response

A spokesperson for the NSW department handling fisheries and regional matters explained that marine safety teams found the deceased whale during a standard check this week.

“DPIRD did not receive any alerts about a caught cetacean near Coledale before this incident,” they said, and mentioned that no other cetacean traps in NSW shark nets had been reported so far this year.

But, earlier this year, another whale got caught in a marine deterrent along the Newcastle coast.

The NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service, the Organisation for the Rescue and Research of Cetaceans in Australia and coastal rescue teams arrived on scene on Tuesday afternoon, finding the young whale with barrier tangled around its fluke and pectoral fin.

“All responders tried their best to release the deceased whale,” commented rescue official the inspector.

Obstacles and Aftermath

“The plan was to take the body to a area where it could be removed from the water,” the inspector explained. Earlier that day, “the mix of unfavourable sea conditions and the proximity to rocks and the shoreline created dangers for the rescue team to stay on site, so we were obliged to stop”.

The whale carcass washed ashore on Tuesday night. The organization stated: “For now, the reason for death is not determined and won’t be confirmed until … a examination is conducted.”

Protective Netting System Information

In place are fifty-one marine barriers set up along the coast, which are fitted with acoustic “whale alarms” and “dolphin pingers”.

The devices “produce a high-frequency sound wave that discourages the mammals from the area and minimizes the possibility of capture,” the DPIRD spokesperson noted.

“State authorities plans to examine new shark mitigation technologies aimed at reducing effects on ocean life while ensuring safety for swimmers.”

Demands for Action

The whale drowning sparked fresh appeals for the local government to end its netting system.

Politician the representative stated it was “absolutely heartbreaking to witness a young whale die like this, notably as its passing was completely avoidable”.

“Each year during net installation, we observe more whales and other wildlife such as dolphins, at-risk marine reptiles and rare nurse sharks trapped, injured or killed.”

Specialist Opinions

University expert, studying ocean creatures at Griffith University, said proof is scarce to show that protective nets have stopped marine incidents in the past.

The “large-scale removal of ocean hunters by shores for safety reasons” barely decreased danger, the doctor noted.

The researcher stated whale calves faced greater danger of being trapped and suffocating.

“It is understood that they lack awareness the hazards posed by netting.”

Whales gain knowledge, understanding how to share on risky zones, the researcher noted.

A juvenile marine mammal “would panic quite quickly and amid turbulent waters the possibility arises of suffocation”.

Government Statements and Solutions

Greens senator the official commented: “Officials are able to assist ensure swimmer safety by supercharging investment in current solutions to archaic and useless shark nets and drumlines.

“Options consist of subsidising individual protection tools, observation initiatives, environmentally friendly barriers, bite-proof wetsuits, and bettering informational efforts.

“A government study on marine safety recommended the federal government demonstrate country-wide initiative on promoting these funds, but this has so far been ignored.”

Whish-Wilson also called on the national authorities to revoke a special allowance in the federal protection legislation that allows regional predator removal plans.

“Federal law enables the officially permitted marine mammal suffering that is occurring off our Queensland and NSW coastlines via hazardous and outdated EPBC exemption.

“It’s time to end the planet’s most extended ocean elimination and halt this cruel state-approved wildlife harm.”