A juvenile humpback whale has been found dead after becoming entangled in a shark net off the NSW coast, reigniting national outrage over Australia’s decades-old shark control programs.

The 8m whale, believed to be about two years old, was discovered wrapped in netting between Coledale and Wombarra on Tuesday morning, the 15th whale entangled along Australia’s east coast this year and the first confirmed death.

Marine Rescue NSW inspector Stuart Massey said rescue crews were forced to abandon efforts to retrieve the whale’s body after dangerous sea conditions made the operation unsafe.

“The plan was to take the carcass to a location where it could be removed from the water,” Mr Massey told The Guardian.

“Shortly before 3pm, the combination of unfavourable sea conditions and the proximi

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