Whale Entanglements Surge as Humpbacks Migrate, Sparking Rescue Efforts

On September 25th, 2025, two humpback whales, a mother and her calf, became entangled in a shark net off the coast of Queensland's Rainbow Beach, about 245 kilometers north of Brisbane. This incident was part of a concerning trend, as the Department of Primary Industries (DPI) reported nine whale entanglements in the past nine days, coinciding with the humpbacks' annual migration south after the breeding season.

Rescue efforts were underway, with the DPI's shark control program and marine animal release team responding to the scene. However, the situation was complicated when two scuba divers attempted to intervene, inadvertently worsening the entanglement. Authorities stressed the importance of leaving such rescues to the trained experts, as approaching or attempting to free the whales can be extremely dangerous.

The recent spate of entanglements has reignited calls from conservation groups like the Envoy Foundation to remove shark nets during the whale migration season, which typically runs from April to October. Experts argue that the science does not support the effectiveness of these nets in protecting swimmers, and that the harm caused to migrating whales outweighs any potential benefits.

As the rescue efforts continued, the Envoy Foundation's co-founder, Andre Borell, emphasized the significant stress and energy expenditure these entanglements can cause for the whales, which are already undertaking an arduous annual migration from Antarctica to the region. With the mother and calf's wellbeing hanging in the balance, the incident serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing challenges in balancing marine conservation and human safety.