{"id":204156,"date":"2025-10-11T00:02:12","date_gmt":"2025-10-11T00:02:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/204156\/"},"modified":"2025-10-11T00:02:12","modified_gmt":"2025-10-11T00:02:12","slug":"noosa-against-nets-splits-after-founder-films-whale-calf-and-mother-entangled-in-shark-nets-off-main-beach","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/204156\/","title":{"rendered":"Noosa Against Nets splits after founder films whale calf and mother entangled in shark nets off Main Beach"},"content":{"rendered":"

A group on the Sunshine Coast campaigning to protect marine life has split up after its founder filmed whales caught in a shark net<\/a> triggering a wave of online threats and abuse aimed at her.<\/p>\n

Madeleine Boyd, 31, captured video footage on October 6 of a mother whale and her calf caught in the nets off Noosa Main Beach on the Sunshine Coas<\/a>t sparking heated debate within the community.<\/p>\n

WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Mother whale and calf tangled in shark nets off Noosa<\/p>\n

Know the news with the 7NEWS app: Download today \"Download<\/a><\/p>\n

The footage divided the local activist group Noosa Against Net<\/a>s, which has since broken up amid disagreement over the founder\u2019s approach.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt was heartbreaking to see the mother whale and her calf caught in those shark nets,\u201d Boyd said.<\/p>\n

\u201cThey were struggling, and there was nothing we could do but watch.\u201d<\/p>\n

She described the calls of the mother whale as something that \u201cstill echoes in my mind\u201d \u2014 that\u2019s why she went out to capture it.<\/p>\n

\u201cHonestly, it will haunt you.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"MadeleineMadeleine Boyd, founder of Noosa Against Nets, filmed a whale entangled in a shark net, capturing the heartbreaking rescue from a safe distance. Credit: Facebook\"DroneDrone vision shows the calf dragged under by shark net, barely able to surface for air off Noosa. Credit: 7NEWS<\/p>\n

She explained after she could not find a boat to take her out to the stressed humpback whales, she and a licensed operator went out on a jet ski to observe and document the entanglement.<\/p>\n

They had no intention of putting the humpbacks under any further stress.<\/p>\n

\u201cI went out with a licensed jet ski operator to observe and document what was happening \u2013 not to interfere, but to help people hear and feel the reality of the whale\u2019s suffering,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

But former co-organisers Alex Murray and Jo Anne Scott criticised Boyd\u2019s decision to film so closely, saying it endangered both the whales and rescuers.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe believe that on October 6 Madeleine endangered the whales, rescuers and herself by choosing to hire a jet ski and approach in order to video the rescue. We have therefore agreed to part ways,\u201d they said in a joint Facebook statement, which is now deleted.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe hope Madeleine will choose to follow rescuer instructions in the future and wish her all the best in her efforts to bring attention to this important issue in more appropriate ways.\u201d<\/p>\n

Boyd stressed they maintained the required 300-metre distance.<\/p>\n

She said she used \u201ca really good phone and zoom\u201d to film the whale from a safe distance, ensuring she did not get too close during the rescue operation.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe were respectful, careful and followed every instruction from authorities,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf anyone felt I crossed a line, I truly regret that, but my actions came from compassion and a deep desire to help.\u201d<\/p>\n

Boyd said the treats and harassment are taking a mental toll on her.<\/p>\n

\u201cAfter posting the footage, I received threats, some even came through to my workplace,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

She told 7news.com.au she has only recently started a new full-time job as a drama teacher at a local school.<\/p>\n

\u201cOne of the women abusing me in my messages has now told me that she knows where I work, named my school, and knows who my boss is,\u201d Boyd said.<\/p>\n

She has even been called into work because of these threats, and fears losing her job over the situation.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s scary, the level of abuse I\u2019ve been subjected to, and how it\u2019s already affecting my work life,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

She stresses the importance of having a strong support system to cope.<\/p>\n

Boyd openly shared her past struggles, revealing she faced severe mental health challenges two years ago but is now stable with good support.<\/p>\n

\u201cI know what it\u2019s like to be burned out … I couldn\u2019t work, I could barely do anything.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"HumpbackHumpback mum and calf snared in shark net off Noosa Main Beach. Credit: Geoff Aquino<\/p>\n

But she remains committed to advocacy and calls for more humane shark safety measures.<\/p>\n

\u201cShark nets are a death trap for so many innocent marine creatures.<\/p>\n

\u201cThey don\u2019t just protect swimmers; they harm our ocean life.\u201d<\/p>\n

She advocates for smarter, non-lethal technologies like drones and smart drumlines to keep both people and wildlife safe.<\/p>\n

When asked by 7NEWS.com.au if she would do it all again after her experience after filming the last whale rescue, Boyd was clear:<\/p>\n

\u201cI will absolutely do it again and I don\u2019t regret going.<\/p>\n

\u201cI do regret that I didn\u2019t post the video of me.<\/p>\n

\u201cAll the times that I said I\u2019m not going to endanger the whale, I don\u2019t want the whale to suffer.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m going to go 300 metres. I wish I posted that earlier, but I wasn\u2019t to know that I was about to receive an ocean\u2019s worth of online abuse.\u201d<\/p>\n

She added she plans to be better prepared next time, filming with \u201ca clear measuring tool\u201d and even \u201ctwo phones so I film it all the time, so they believe me.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI definitely will do it again.\u201d<\/p>\n

Noosa Against Nets continues to run a community fundraiser, offering prizes such as a two-night stay at Stringybark Cottage in Verrierdale, to support its campaign efforts.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Another humpback whale and calf trapped in shark net off popular beach<\/p>\n

2 min read<\/p>\n

<\/a><\/p>\n

Are shark attacks really on the rise?<\/p>\n

5 min read<\/p>\n

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