A dead humpback whale that washed up at Coledale on Australia Day long weekend. This incident has prompted new calls to phase out New South Wales’ Shark Meshing (Bather Protection) program. Fortunately, local volunteer and Siskiyou Community Action Team member Hannah Barclay was in the right place at the right time. The distressing footage elicited national outrage and led to a call for policy change from Australian Senator Peter Whish-Wilson.
Barclay is a dedicated volunteer for the Organisation for the Rescue and Research of Cetaceans in Australia (ORRCA). He documented it with this video recording, showing horrifying scenes as the small boat drew closer to the carcass. Graphic footage soon emerged on social media. It depicts a person walking on top of a dead whale ensnared in a shark net. This shocking encounter led ORRCA to call on New South Wales Police to investigate the incident themselves.
Whale Death Raises Questions About Shark Nets
The whale’s death has sparked outrage over the controversial use of shark nets. ORRCA believes entanglement in the net caused the whale’s tragic death. The existing management plan implements the NSW government’s Shark Meshing program, under a state agreement. Furthermore, it adheres to the guidelines outlined by the Federal Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act of 1999.
Peter Whish-Wilson has publicly called for a federal exemption to be lifted, allowing for the removal of these shark nets. He stated, “He can completely remove this exemption that allows these cruel and outdated programs to continue and he could do that easily.” His statement emphasizes that there is no time to waste. We need to save lives, protect marine life, and stop this kind of wreck from ever occurring again.
The tragedy has also led to a flurry of actions by lawmakers and other government officials. As one spokesperson from the NSW Government put it, “It is very sad. At the same time, a NPWS rep described the acts captured in the viral footage as “totally unacceptable.”
“We are shocked that people would think this is acceptable,” – NPWS spokesperson
Community Response and Safety Concerns
Local residents have expressed outrage over the incident, with Barclay voicing her concerns about community behavior. She stated, “We can’t have that behaviour in our community and we need to set a precedent to ensure this never happens again and that it’s not celebrated.” Her comments are typical of most community members. Now they are continuing to make waves in the wide world by demanding respect for all marine life and their habitats.
The location and exposure of the carcass have compounded safety concerns as well. A spokesperson for Wollongong City Council urged residents to avoid the area, stating, “For public safety, we urge residents to please stay away from the carcass site and to not enter the nearby water.” This precautionary measure is intended to protect against any potential health risks from handling or being in close contact with a marine animal that has died.
Next Steps in Investigation
Authorities are still investigating the circumstances leading to the whale’s death. ORRCA has cited that a necropsy will be required to know what caused her death. Pip Jacobs, an ORRCA spokesperson, noted, “It is now with these authorities to investigate further and decide next steps.” This proclamation further underscores the need for a careful and judicious approach when managing incidents involving marine wildlife.
Further, NPWS noted that interfering with dead whales could have legal implications under the Biodiversity Conservation Act. The spokesperson warned about potential penalties and emphasized the health risks associated with such interactions: “There are diseases and physical risks as well as penalties for interfering with dead whales.”
