A juvenile whale, merely two years old, was discovered bobbing belly-up near Wombarra Beach, located in northern Wollongong. On Tuesday morning, its tail and fin were found ensnared in shark nets.

The whale’s body remained adrift as turbulent weather conditions hindered authorities from recovering the eight-meter creature from the ocean.

Later that afternoon, ORRCA, an animal rescue organization, began receiving reports from the public suggesting that someone appeared to be on the whale.

“We are surprised to see that footage,” commented ORRCA spokesperson Pip Jacobs.

“Most of the local community has shown great respect and sorrow for the whale caught in the shark net. Nevertheless, we occasionally witness such behavior,” Jacobs added.

Jacobs said dead animals are protected under legislation, making the incident illegal.

It also poses a risk to human safety due to potential disease transmission, the size and weight of the whale, and attracting sharks to the area. 

“ORRCA will encourage everyone to always maintain a safe and respectful distance in situations like this for their own safety,” Jacobs said.

ORRCA has reported the incident to the National Parks and Wildlife Service.

9news.com.au has contacted the National Parks and Wildlife Service for comment.

The City of Wollongong Council acknowledged that people may want to see the whale, which has since washed ashore onto a rock shelf north of Scarborough Beach, but urged them to stay away.

“We understand this situation has attracted many passionate community members down to Scarborough Beach,” the council said.

“However, for public safety, we urge residents to please stay away from the carcass site and to not enter the nearby water.

“We recognise that the presence of a deceased whale can also be upsetting for many in our community. These animals are significant both environmentally and culturally, and their loss is taken seriously.”

The City of Wollongong is working with specialists to remove and dispose of the body when the tide and other conditions are favourable.

Until then, the body has been secured to its current position. 

The nearby patrolled beaches of Coalcliff, Scarborough and Coledale, Stanwell Park and Austinmer have been temporarily closed.

Surf Life Saving Illawarra confirmed there have been multiple shark sightings, including one white pointer, as the carcass attracts them into nearby waters.

Council will reopen the beaches when it is safe to do so.

The whale’s death has prompted renewed calls to remove shark nets, which go up at 51 beaches across eight councils between Newcastle and Wollongong when temperatures begin to warm from September.

“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,” Greens spokesperson for healthy oceans Senator Peter Whish-Wilson said.

NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) confirmed it has shared the video with NSW Police.

“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.”