A humpback whale and her calf became tangled in a shark net in a frightening close call sparking a desperate late-night rescue off a popular beach.

The drama unfolded near Noosa Main Beach on the Sunshine Coast on Wednesday, with crews battling into the night to free the trapped pair.

WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Mother whale and calf tangled in shark nets off Noosa

The Department of Primary Industries (DPI) confirmed a Shark Control Program contractor was called in and managed to cut the whales loose.

The mother and calf were reportedly freed from the shark net about 11:30pm on Wednesday.

“A humpback whale and calf have been successfully released after becoming entangled in a shark net at Noosa,” a spokesperson said.

Animal welfare groups said the incident shows why shark nets shou

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