SHOCKING underwater footage shows a very young humpback whale drowning in shark nets off Bilinga Beach on Sunday while its distressed mother watches.

Marine mammal scientist and researcher Dr Olaf Meynecke said the footage was the first of its kind in Australia and highlighted the dangers of shark nets to humpbacks during their winter migration.

“This baby humpback was pushed into the shark nets off Bilinga Beach on July 20 and its tragic death unfolded over many hours while its distressed mother watched,” he said.

BABY WHALE DIES IN SHARK NETS

“The unsuccessful rescue ended in its death, which highlights the cruelty of these nets to marine life and the need for the Queensland Government to reconsider lifting shark nets during the winter months,” he said.

media_camera Baby whale that died after being caught in shark nets off the Gold Coast on July 20, 2014. Pic: Olaf Meynecke

The Griffith University researcher and founder of volunteer research group Humpbacks and High Rises on the Gold Coast, said he had provided clear advice in 2013 to authorities and requested nets to be removed during the whale migration.

“We referred to nets like those at Bilinga beach net where whales have been trapped before,” Dr Meynecke said.

“Once again we state that there is no independent, scientific evidence demonstrating that shark nets have reduced shark attacks during the Queensland winter over the past 50 years and since the introduction of shark nets in 1962.”

“Last year, we handed a petition with more than 3000 signatures to the State Government and Gold Coast City Council calling for the nets to be lifted during winter.”

To view the petition, click here