A mature humpback whale, accompanied by its calf, has been reported entangled in shark nets off the coast of Rainbow Beach, Queensland. The whale dragged the net approximately 100 km north to Hervey Bay, which is recognized as the world’s first Whale Heritage Site. This incident was confirmed by the Department of Primary Industries on 17 September 2025.
Local reports indicate that the whale is currently located in Platypus Bay, near the township of Torquay. Hervey Bay serves as a sanctuary for humpback whales, providing a refuge during their annual migration to the cooler waters and feeding grounds in the Southern Ocean during the austral summer.
Concerns Raised Over Shark Nets
Marine biologist Lawrence Chlebeck from Humane World for Animals Australia expressed deep concern over the impact of shark nets on marine life. “This is yet another reminder of the annual toll that shark nets take on these highly intelligent and social animals,” he stated. Mr. Chlebeck emphasized the tragic irony of a gentle giant and its calf struggling while entangled in a net in a designated Whale Heritage Site, calling the situation “unacceptable.”
He highlighted the potential consequences of such entanglements, stating, “Even if the whale can be freed from this net, the trauma they will have suffered and energy expended in the struggle will seriously jeopardize their ability to make the long migration back to their feeding grounds.”
Current Shark Control Measures in Queensland
Queensland’s shark control program includes 27 culling nets deployed on beaches in southeast Queensland, as well as 383 lethal drumlines operating from the New South Wales border north to Cairns. These nets, approximately 150 meters long, are not barriers but rather fishing nets installed 500 meters off ocean beaches year-round, posing significant risks to marine wildlife.
Mr. Chlebeck questioned the Queensland Government’s justification for the continued use of these “lethal, outdated, and ineffective” shark nets. The ongoing debate surrounding shark control measures and their impact on marine ecosystems is likely to gain further attention in light of this incident.
As the situation unfolds, conservationists and marine biologists are advocating for a reevaluation of current shark control strategies to protect both marine life and the integrity of designated wildlife sanctuaries like Hervey Bay.
