A young whale has been freed after becoming entangled in shark control netting during its annual journey along the east coast.

The dramatic rescue unfolded off Kirra Beach on Queensland ’s Gold Coast about 3pm on Tuesday, after beachgoers spotted the struggling calf and alerted authorities.

WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Humpback whale calf entangled in shark net

The Sea World Foundation joined forces with Queensland ’s Department of Fisheries Marine Animal Release Team (MART) to respond to the distress call, launching a delicate and risky operation in choppy conditions.

“It’s a dangerous process to disentangle a whale, and the bad sea conditions didn’t help,” Sea World Foundation head of marine sciences Wayne Phillips said.

Crews found the calf’s left pectoral fin had become wrap

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