A young humpback whale was discovered lifeless, ensnared in shark nets near Sydney, sparking renewed outcry against what critics term “barbaric walls of death.”

The Department of Primary Industries, responsible for managing the state’s shark control measures, reported that its contractors encountered the whale floating on its back off Wombarra Beach in northern Wollongong during their routine morning inspection.

The whale was found entangled in the shark net, with the mesh wrapped around its tail and side fin.

ORRCA, a non-profit dedicated to marine rescue, responded to the situation and is collaborating with Wollongong City Council, the National Parks and Wildlife Service, and the Local Aboriginal Lands Council to address the incident.

While the exact cause of death remains unknown pending a necropsy, efforts to retrieve the carcass have been hindered by rough sea conditions.

The dead whale is feared to attract sharks to the area, with the public advised to stay clear of it and avoid entering the water. 

The Wollongong City Council has temporarily shut the patrolled Scarborough and Coledale beaches to swimmers and surfers as a precaution until further notice.

Animal groups, councils and politicians have long been calling for shark nets to be removed from beaches across the state, arguing that it does not deter sharks and leads to other endangered sea animals being caught and killed in the nets.

The animals killed included four dolphins, seven threatened turtles, and four critically endangered grey nurse sharks.

Following yesterday’s death of a humpback whale, Greens spokesperson for healthy oceans Senator Peter Whish-Wilson urged federal Environment Minister Murray Watt to remove a legislation exemption that allows state-controlled shark control programs.

“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,” he said.

“Governments can help keep ocean-goers safe by supercharging investment in modern-day alternatives to outdated and ineffective shark nets and drumlines.

“These include subsidising shark shield personal deterrent devices, shark spotter programs, eco-shark barriers, bite-proof wetsuits, and improving public education.”

The NSW government puts up shark nets at 51 beaches across eight councils between Newcastle and Wollongong when temperatures begin to warm from September.

Six of those councils, including the Wollongong City Council, have passed motions in support of removing the shark nets. 

The Department of Primary Industries had planned to remove shark nets at three spots in the Northern Beaches, Waverley and Central Coast councils this summer to trial its effectiveness.

“In light of the tragedy that has occurred at Dee Why on the weekend, we need to be sensible about what the community would accept at this time,” Agriculture Minister Tara Moriarty said at the time.

A Department of Primary Industries spokesperson said the government will continue to investigate new shark mitigation technologies to minimise the impact on marine animals while also protecting beachgoers.