Home / Environment / Humpback Whale Calf Drowns in Shark Net Off Australia's Coast
Humpback Whale Calf Drowns in Shark Net Off Australia's Coast
29 Oct, 2025
Summary
- 8-meter juvenile whale found dead, entangled in shark net
- 15th whale entangled in NSW shark nets this year, first confirmed dead
- Calls to end shark netting program, invest in modern alternatives
On October 29th, 2025, a tragic incident occurred off the coast of New South Wales, Australia. A humpback whale calf, measuring 8 meters in length, was found dead after becoming entangled in a shark net. This marks the 15th whale to have been caught in the state's shark nets so far this year, but the first confirmed fatality.
According to officials, the juvenile whale was discovered wrapped in netting north of Wollongong, between the towns of Coledale and Wombarra. Rescue teams from the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service, the Organisation for the Rescue and Research of Cetaceans in Australia (ORRCA), and Marine Rescue NSW responded to the scene, but were unable to save the animal. The whale carcass later washed ashore on Tuesday night.
