Rescuers are attempting to free two whales entangled in a shark net off a Sunshine Coast beach.
The whales - reportedly a mother and her calf - became entrapped in the same net as humpbacks make their migration south.
Humane Society International marine biologist Lawrence Chlebeck said the current migration season had involved about double the number of entanglements seen in previous years.
"A mother and calf in the same net, stressed and tangled, is a worst-case scenario," he said in a statement on Friday.
Queensland's Department of Agriculture and Fisheries has confirmed the Marine Animal Rescue Team is involved in the rescue.
Animal rights groups have previously warned of increased risk as the migrating humpbacks head south with their newborn calves.
"The whales have gone up north to breed and now they're making the long journey back with their calves, close to the shoreline," Sea Shepherd Australia's Lauren Sandeman said after another whale was successfully freed off Noosa in late August.
Human Society Australia and Sea Shepherd want the shark nets removed.
""The shark nets must be removed in favour of new technological solutions, already successfully trialled by Queensland and New South Wales governments, that can better reduce the risk of shark bite without endangering migrating humpbacks and killing dolphins and turtles," Mr Chlebeck said.
"There's a better way."
Fisheries Queensland has previously advised that an estimated 40,000 whales migrate along Queensland's coastline each year, with an average of six entanglements.
