A drone operator has filmed a “tragedy in real time” off the Queensland coast.
Videographer Geoff Aquino recorded a humpback whale and her calf struggling in a shark net off Noosa National Park late Wednesday.
“In eight and a half years of filming whales and marine life, I have never witnessed anything this horrific,” he said in a social media post.
“A young humpback calf is heavily entangled and the mother is also trapped – still fighting with every ounce of strength to survive and to save her calf.
“In the video you can see her battling relentlessly, trying everything she possibly can to break free.
“This is not just heartbreaking, it is an outrage.”
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Mr Aquino said the scene was “disheartening, disgraceful and enraging” and he called on the state government to remove shark nets.
A Department of Primary Industries spokesperson said the whales were cut free overnight.
“A humpback whale and calf have been successfully released after becoming entangled in a shark net at Noosa,” they said.
“A Shark Control Program contractor attended the location last night and facilitated a safe release.
“We remind the public that for their own safety, it is dangerous to approach or try to release whales trapped in nets.
“Call the Shark Control Program hotline on 1800 806 891 and let the trained and properly equipped experts do their job.”
Sunshine Coast News asked the DPI several questions about Queensland’s Shark Control Program and its impacts on whales and was awaiting a response.
Mr Aquino, who operates drone imagery and footage business The Drone Guy Network, was sparked into action on Wednesday after he received a phone call from Envoy Film at about 5pm.
He parked at the entrance to the national park and sent the drone about 700m offshore.
“I see a lot of entanglements but this was, by far, the worst I have seen,” he told SCN.
“I could clearly see the baby was trying to breathe. It was suffocated by the amount of net you can clearly see on the video.”
