Training for safe whale season
Officers ready if whales get caught in nets during migrationThe Gold Coast's Marine Animal Release Teams (MART) are getting ready to help more than 16,000 whales have a safe migration season this year.
Fisheries Queensland Shark Control Program manager Jeff Krause said the teams have undertaken their annual training on release techniques should a whale get caught in shark control nets or other gear in the water.
"We're seeing an ever-increasing number of whales travelling along Queensland's coast each year, so it's inevitable that some animals may become entangled in gear," Mr Krause said.
"We've already had sightings of whales along the southern coast of Victoria near Cape Otway and Esperance in Western Australia, so it's bound to be a busy migration season.
"Our MART officers are in place at key locations along the coast at Mackay, and the Sunshine and Gold Coasts to release the whales should they become entangled in nets.
"It's a dangerous job given the size of the animal, the presence sometimes of nearby whales and rough seas, so the officers are all highly-skilled to work in these conditions.
"The officers use specialised devices designed to cut the thick net ropes without harming the animal.
"The presence of whale pingers on the shark nets has helped us reduce the number of whales entangled, and the MART officers skills have significantly reduced whale injuries.
"Since 2000, 34 whales have been caught in shark netting in Queensland, and of these entanglements 31 whales have been successfully freed by Fisheries Queensland's MART officers."
Mr Krause said if an entangled animal is spotted, it was important people report it to the Sharkwatch Hotline on 1800 806 891.
"The sooner we get the report, the quicker we can deploy our teams to release the animal," he said.
"However, we urge people to not intervene while they wait, but leave the rescues to the trained officers.
"The animals can survive in the nets for a while, and we don't want to risk human injury."
For more information on the Shark Control Program, visit www.fisheries.qld.gov.au
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