Higher acoustic illumination trialed in Australia to reduce whale entanglements

Queensland has begun a five-week trial of new high-frequency acoustic alarms (“pingers”) on shark nets off Noosa Heads. The goal is to reduce whale entanglements, especially during the busy humpback migration along Australia’s east coast. Researchers from the University of Queensland are monitoring whale behaviour around the nets daily. Conservation groups remain skeptical, arguing that shark nets themselves are the core problem. The state government says the trial is part of its commitment to beach safety and modernising shark control technology. For the first time in 15 years, Queensland’s shark-net pingers are using new, higher-frequency signals. About 50,000 humpback whales migrate past the east coast each year; roughly 0.02% interact with shark nets. The alarms are designed to “acoustically illuminate” nets so whales detect and avoid them. The trial is a collaboration between the University of Queensland, the Queensland Government and Future Oceans (the alarm supplier). Researchers believe whales can hear these frequencies and may respond by moving away from the gear. Future Oceans says ongoing research may eventually allow scientists to decode whale communication, enabling even more targeted deterrent signals. UQ researchers are stationed at Noosa Heads 10 hours a day, observing: Whale movements, any interactions with shark nets and behavioural changes linked to the new alarms.