A tragic incident unfolded off Wombarra Beach in northern Wollongong when a two-year-old whale was found floating upside down, entangled in shark nets, on Tuesday morning. The whale’s tail and fin were caught in the nets, leading to its unfortunate demise.

Due to rough sea conditions, authorities have been unable to retrieve the eight-meter-long whale’s body, which remains adrift at sea.

The local council has announced that beaches will be reopened once it is deemed safe for the public.

This incident has reignited the debate over the use of shark nets, which are deployed at 51 beaches from Newcastle to Wollongong as the weather warms up in September.

Greens spokesperson for healthy oceans, Senator Peter Whish-Wilson, criticized the use of these nets, stating, “What further proof do governments need that shark nets do not work and can even attract sharks to beaches where they can feed on marine wildlife caught in these barbaric walls of death?”

The NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) has confirmed that they have shared footage of the incident with NSW Police for further investigation.

“We are shocked that people would think this is acceptable. It is disrespectful and dangerous behaviour,” an NPWS spokesperson said.

“There are diseases and physical risks as well as penalties for interfering with dead whales.”