National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) rangers became aware of the dead whale on Tilba Beach on Thursday, September 27 but believe the whale had been dead since about Monday, September 17.

“We believe it was entangled in lobster fishing gear,” a NPWS spokesperson said.  

“It appears one of the pectoral fins was injured from the entanglement and it was very emaciated.

“We estimate given it was around 8m long that is was about 4-5 years old which means it is probably a sub- adult.

“It is in a remote and difficult to access location however s a precaution swimmers should avoid the area in case of sharks.

This is the second juvenile humpback whale to wash up on the South Coast in the last fortnight.

President of ORRCA, Jacqueline O’Neill said that National Parks & Wildlife Service were aware that the whale was there.

If anyone sees a whale in distress or entangled. Please take some images and report it immediately to either the NSW Enviroline 131 555 or the ORRCA hotline 02 9415 3333.

”As the land manager, the Eurobodalla Shire Council is responsible for its future management,” NPWS said.