Animal welfare - Australians rescue humpback whale from net - now facing fine
In Australia, a group of young people saved a humpback whale from drowning at Marcoola Beach in Queensland, but now face potential legal consequences and a hefty fine. The whale had become entangled in a net on a Monday and could barely move.
Four young Australians, who wanted to practice Yoga on the beach, discovered the distressed marine mammal and called the authorities, as reported by the Australian ABC, referencing the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries (DAF). However, after an hour, no response came from the emergency teams. The group then reportedly took matters into their own hands.
Using their paddleboards, the four swam into the water and attempted to cut the net with a knife. One rescuer, Brenton Owens, stated that the whale was completely ensnared in two layers of netting. "He was at the surface, but he wasn't moving," he said.
Their top priority was to remove netting that covered the whale's eye and calm the animal. Eventually, the group managed to free the whale, which swam away immediately.
Strict Laws in Queensland
The DAF confirmed that an emergency call regarding a distressed whale had been received at the appropriate hotline in the early morning. However, the whale had already been freed when the expert team arrived at the scene.
According to Queensland law, individuals who fail to maintain a minimum 100-meter distance from a whale in the water face up to 19,300 Australian Dollars (12,000 Euro) in fines - unless there is a "reasonable excuse." Additionally, a 20-meter distance must be maintained from nets. The maximum fine for non-compliance amounts to approximately 19,800 Euro.
Massive Pectoral Fin
A DAF spokesperson stated that the Ministry was considering launching an investigation into possible violations of these laws following the recent incident. "We remind the public that they should not approach or attempt to free netted whales for their own safety," the spokesperson emphasized.
Naomi Gardiner, a marine biology professor at James Cook University, quoted by the ABC, reminded the public that humpback whales are enormous creatures, exceptionally heavy, and in distress behave unpredictably. The pectoral fin alone can be up to five meters long and weigh up to a tonne. Stressed whales can render humans unconscious or even kill them with a single body movement, warned the expert.
- Despite saving the humpback whale from drowning, the group of young individuals who intervened in Queensland might face fines due to potential violations of animal welfare laws in the region, as stated by the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries (DAF).
- In Australia, where strict regulations govern the distance individuals must maintain from whales, the four young people who freed the humpback whale at Marcoola Beach in Brisbane could be liable for fines, as they allegedly approached the animal within close proximity while attempting to rescue it.
- The Queensland government imposes penalties of up to 19,300 Australian Dollars (around 12,000 Euros) for individuals who fail to maintain a minimum 100-meter distance from a whale, with a possible fine of 19,800 Euros for non-compliance with regulations concerning nets, as per the state's animal welfare laws.
- Following the rescue of the humpback whale in Brisbane, the DAF has announced they are contemplating launching an investigation into any potential violations of animal welfare laws, encouraging the public to respect the distances required for their safety and that of the animals, considering the immense size and unpredictable behavior of these marine mammals, as warned by marine biology professor Naomi Gardiner at James Cook University.
